ASSIGNMENT # 02
Prepared by
Introduction: The policy development process is a vital element in educational planning. Policy is defined functionally to mean: An explicit or implicit single decision or group of decisions which may set out directives for guiding future decisions, initiate or retard action, or guide implementation of previous decisions1. Being a Policy maker one has to follow following life cycle and its phase in the development process of an education policy. Phase 1: Phase 2: Phase 3: Phase 4: Phase 5: Phase 6: Conceptualization / Need Identification The Selection of Mode of generating policy options Development & selection of Policy Options Decisions Implementation Evaluation / Review
Wadi D. Haddad, (1995), Education policy-planning process: an applied framework, UNESCO: International Institute for Educational Planning
Horizon Scan
Internal initiative
Legal Mandate
Political Agenda
Decisions
Policy Advice Political Input Approval of Cabinet or Parliament
Implementation
Communication Resource provision Administration Testing / Follow up
Evaluation / Review
Results or effectiveness of the policy Recommendations Revision , Adjustment, Learning
ACTIVITIES PERFORMED DURING DIFFERENT PHASES OF THE LIFE CYCLE OF AN EDUCATION POLICY Projects Phases
1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1.
Projects Activities
Research findings Horizon Scan Internal initiative Legal Mandate Incident Occurrence/ Crisis Political Agenda Process Impact and options Systematic Mode (Futuristic Mode) Generation of data Formulation of options Prioritization of option 2. Incremental Mode (Present Mode) Problem is identified through public debate within the education system. Acting out approach is used to adjust present difficulties through different options by promoting incremental improvements 3. Ad hoc Mode Problem is identified outside the educational system. Some adjustments or changes may be required for a short term. May have no rational basis within the education sector. 4. Importation Mode Policy options are imported from foreign countries as role model to improve local education system 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 1. 2. 3. 1. 2. 3. 4. 1. 2. 3. Choices / Opportunities Cost / Benefits Resources Instrument choices Consultation Revision Trade-offs required Policy Advice Political Input Approval of Cabinet or Parliament Communication Resource provision Administration Testing / Follow up Results or effectiveness of the policy Recommendations Revision , Adjustment, Learning
Effort
Low
Medium
High
High
High
Low
Effort
16 14 12 10 EFFORT 8 6 4 2 0 Phase 1 Phase 2 Phase 3 Phase 4 Phase 5 Phase 6 Effort
A comparison between education policy life cycle & a policy life cycle.
Education policy development process is generally takes place with government initiative and control. It may differ country to country. Different sectors of the government prepare different policies using different life cycle phases. The structure of life cycle phases is based on
needs and structure of that particular sector. Following diagram shows a life cycle phases of a policy development process. This life cycle is consisted of five phases. They are 1. Problem identification 2. Agenda setting 3. Policy development 4. Implementation 5. Policy Evaluation Most of the phases of both life cycles are same but there is one additional phase in the educational policy life cycle and which is Decision.