The purpose of education is different from educational policy. Educational policy is the general requirement of educational work stipulated by the state according to political and economic requirements in order to achieve educational purposes. It is a general summary of the educational policy, and its contents include the guiding ideology of education, the overall specifications of cultivating talents and the basic ways to realize educational goals. From this point of view, there is still a difference between the purpose of education and the way of education: the former focuses on answering the question of "what kind of people to train", while the latter answers the question of "how to train people" in addition to "what kind of people to train". In addition, some scholars believe that "educational purpose" is a theoretical term and an academic concept, which belongs to the basic theoretical category of pedagogy; "Education policy" is a working term and a political concept, which belongs to the field of education policy. The purpose of education can be put forward by social groups or individuals and is not binding on educational practice. Education policy is usually put forward by the government or political parties, which is mandatory for educational practice.
Undoubtedly, the purpose of education is the core of the whole educational work, the starting point and destination of educational activities, and the fundamental basis for determining curriculum and teaching objectives, selecting educational content and methods, and evaluating educational effects. To sum up, the purpose of education has the functions of guidance, guidance, encouragement and evaluation.