Education Sector Working Group (ESWG)
 

The main purpose of the ESWG is to act as a coordination forum between the PA and donors. It serves as a platform for discussing policy priorities, progress in implementation of the four education programs in the Palestinian Reform and Development Plan (PRDP) and monitoring of the education sector. The main sector plan is the Five-Year Plan (2008-2011) and the Teacher Education Strategy for 2008.

The key functions of the ESWG are as follows:

• assist donors in aligning assistance in relation to national plans (PRDP) and strategies for the sector;
• support the development and updating of sector strategies within the framework of national plans and budgets;
• carry out coordinated and strategic dialogue with the purpose of identifying PA priorities and the readiness/availability of the donor community to fund related programmes;
• function as the main source of information for sector needs and achievements, donor funding and gaps;
• support the establishment of a sector-wide approach and possibly a pooled funding mechanism;
• develop joint indicators for sector monitoring and programme-based approaches.

The work of the ESWG is further supported by the Higher Education Thematic Group co-chaired by Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) and France and supported by UNESCO as its technical advisor. It reports to the ESWG on issues related to higher education.

The ESWG reports to the Social Development Strategy Group (SHSG) on a regular basis.

Membership in the group is limited to donors who can add substantial financial or analytical value, relevant PA institutions and representatives of relevant non-governmental organisations (NGOs).


Composition

Co-Chairs: Ministry of Education and Higher Education (MoEHE) and France
Technical Advisor: United Nations Education, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO)
Members:
PA institutions: Ministry of Planning and Administrative Development (MoPAD)
Donors: Belgium, Canada, European Commission (EC), Finland, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Norway, Portugal, United Nations Children’s Fund (UNICEF), United Nations Relief and Works Agency (UNRWA), United States (US), World Bank
Observers: Association of International Development Agencies (AIDA), Office of the Quartet Representative (OQR), Palestinian Non-Governmental Organizations’ Network (PNGO), Office of the United Nations Special Coordinator for the Middle East Peace Process (UNSCO)
Secretariat: Local Aid Coordination Secretariat (LACS)