The Department of Planning and International Co-operation of the Ministry of Education was established in 1998 and comprises four divisions - Planning, External Relations, Project Co-ordination and Administration. Its objectives include: ensuring that all education development initiatives are in line with national socio-economic development plans; enhancing co-operation with foreign countries, organisations and NGOs in support of the educational development plans of the Ministry; and evaluating the quality of education and human resource development within the education sector. Specific duties include undertaking studies on the policy, direction, regulations and laws relating to educational development plans; guiding concerned parties to establish the EMIS Education Mapping System at macro and local levels; undertaking studies and giving guidance to concerned parties on the development of strategic plans and national educational development plans under the supervision of the Committee for Foreign Investment (CIC) and the Ministry of Education; undertaking studies of the prospects for investment in the education sector taking into account the national budget in different periods; undertaking studies on fund mobilisation programmes focusing on assistance and co-operation from foreign countries, organisations and others; enhancing co-ordination for follow-up education activities in order to support and facilitate project implementation; and gathering statistics and establishing and implementing training plans for staff whose duties relate to these fields.