Adult numeracy and literacy skills are key to transforming lives, promoting social inclusion and contributing to sustainable societies. Achieving an optimal return on investment with regard to the development of adult skills and competencies requires the collation of comprehensive data to assess what people know, what they do with what they know,…

This book is the first comprehensive account of developments in open and distance non-formal education in developing countries for over more than 20 years. It includes many instructive and inspiring examples of how international agencies such as UNESCO, FAO, WHO, UNICEF, USAID and the Commonwealth of Learning and national providers are using…

Literacy policy and programming in developing countries continues to be influenced by the assumption that without literacy, an adult is unable to function on an equal basis in society and that an individual can be easily categorised as either literate or illiterate. Although this has led to prioritisation of primary schooling over adult literacy…

Since the beginning of the Asian Development Bank's involvement in education in 1970 up to December 1987, 35 education loans to its developing member countries (DMCs) have been approved. The general aim of this paper is to determine the direction of the bank's future policy in assisting education. Among the main reasons for reviewing the bank's…

Suggests that the means to eliminate illiteracy are available in Africa if nations devise and implement a strategy of action based on an effective political will and adopting a methodical, rational approach. Discusses the current situation, negative factors, repercussions on development, and future demands. Argues that promoting basic education…

Intended for people in government and other agencies who make decisions on policy or on funding for literacy, this short report of an international seminar on literacy summarizes seminar themes. The first topic considered is the rationale for investment in education. The connection between literacy and national development is stressed, and three…

This volume sheds light on contemporary theoretical work and research, on a range of national and international polices, and on education reform in developing countries. International Education has become an increasingly prominent and urgent matter in recent decades. Since the 1990 and 2000 Education for All conferences in Thailand, and Senegal,…

The monograph presents the writing of suitable "follow-up" books for new adult readers in developing countries in the dual context of lifelong learning and of support for development by communication. It presents writing for new readers from the perspectives of high level policy makers, reading materials specialists in ministries and…

Discusses problems facing developing nations in achieving UNESCO's goal of equality of educational opportunity. Mentions continuing inequality in literacy rates between developed and developing countries, and between the sexes. Describes functional illiteracy. Blames lack of progress on rates of demographic growth, pace of educational expansion,…

Adult continuing education practitioners in the United States can improve their planning and decision making by developing an understanding of major societal influences on their programs. One way of understanding local influences is to learn about such influences on educational programs for adults in other national settings. This monograph is…

This booklet, which is intended for individuals engaged in educational planning and administration, senior government officials, and policymakers in developing and developed countries alike, provides guidance regarding planning, implementing, and administering learner-centered adult literacy programs. Chapter 1 examines the following topics…

This document profiles 10 successful experiences in nonformal education (NFE) programs across Africa. Common features of the programs profiled are as follows: (1) provide educational opportunities for those who have missed out on formal education; (2) show evidence of learners' acquisition of competencies for work and survival; (3) demonstrate…