International agencies
DFID is active internationally in support of education for all through providing funds to the International Financial Institutions (IFIs), notably the IMF and the World Bank, working with the European Commission, engaging with the UN system, supporting major international education initiatives such as the FTI, and financing better international monitoring of progress through the EFA Global Monitoring Report.
The Education for All Fast Track Initiative (FTI), established in 2002, is an evolving global partnership of partner and donor countries and agencies to mobilize resources, close gaps in financing and accelerate action on the Dakar Framework of Action on Education for All. The UK is the second largest donor to the FTI, contributing £150 million.
CSOs, NGOs and private sector
DFID’s support for CSOs illustrates both the growth and the diversity of CSOs in development. In the White Paper Eliminating World Poverty (1997) a strong commitment was made to strengthening partnerships between DFID and voluntary organisations in order to create stronger public and international support for development. By 2004-05, DFID was channelling £328 million or nine percent of its total expenditure through CSOs.
Under the Partnership Programme Agreements (currently with 26 major UK-based and international NGOs) and the Civil Society Challenge Fund, education figures prominently in the mainstream work of many of the agencies that are supported.
DFID
is also paying increasing attention to the role of the private sector in helping
to eliminate poverty. it is clearly the case in many developing countries that
the private sector is playing a more prominent role in service delivery; and not
only at the secondary and tertiary levels but in early childhood care and
education and in primary education. As a result of this trend, governments are
looking for ways to both encourage responsible private investment in education
but within a regulatory framework which is protective of the consumer and the
poor.
Monitoring and Evaluation
Research is an important component of DFID’s education portfolio. Since 1993, over 70 Education Papers have been published on a wide range of education and training issues. A good proportion of these studies have focused on basic education and many have been influential in DFID thinking and practice.
In the last two years, three longer term research projects have been launched on the issues of access, quality and outcomes in basic education. These five year programmes (2005-2010) are designed specifically to influence both the education policies in the countries in which the research is being conducted, DFID in its aid strategies and the international community more generally.
Three major research programmes – 2005-2010 - backed by DFID
Links
Last updated 15 February 2008
