The regions ongoing operations and analytical work aim to:

• Realign secondary and higher education systems with the demands of a dynamic, private-sector-led labor market, as well as the needs of open societies;
• Combat poverty through encouraging countries to monitor equity and target public educational resources on the poor;
• Improve sustainability and equity in the financing of education, particularly through the use of per student funding formulas;
• Spend resources more efficiently in terms of expenditure per student;
• Improve sector governance, in terms of public participation and accountability and the public sector's ability to regulate and manage the delivery of education.