Support sector work and policy dialogue

Sector work should focus on (a) a child's needs in terms of nutrition, health care, and schooling, using such indicators as anthropometric measures, infant and child mortality and morbidity data, immunization coverage, primary school enrolment, age of enrolment, dropout and repetition rates, completion rates, and male-female differentials; (b) work should also review existing and proposed childoriented policies, programs, and projects; assess their synergies and complementarities, and formulate policies that foster the integrated approach to child developments; (e) finally, sector work should identify gaps that can be addressed by additional or adapted policies (including changes in the legal framework, where needed) and by Bank-funded projects. In addition, the Bank should assist governments to develop national child and family policies. Along with informing the public, special attention should be directed toward informing policymakers at national and regional levels and disadvantaged communities where children are at risk. The mass media can also deliver developmental curriculum to children and their families. Mexico's Initial Education Project and Nigeria's Development Communications Project are two examples in the Bank's lending portfolio that channel information through mass media (see box 31).