The World Declaration on Education for All in 1990 and the World Education Forum in Dakar in 2000 reaffirmed the right to learn and a commitment to meet the basic learning needs of all people by expanding learning opportunities and working for a fully literate society. In the Indian context, especially in rural India, it is still a cherished…

"Rural education": the phrase conjures up unflattering images of broken blackboards and slates, lackadaisical teachers and students, rote learning and of outdated teaching techniques and suppressed creativity. Yet, these images are completely out of consonance with modern India and a knowledge-based society. This article describes a new…

Discusses India's National Adult Education Programme (NAEP), which was assigned the task of developing adult education materials. Details steps taken to develop these materials and to train administrators and teachers. (JOW)

The author gives an account of past library movements in rural India and suggests that a network of rural libraries and reading rooms should be an important component of the National Adult Education Programme, as a means of reinforcing the effects of literacy education. (SK)

In light of recent evidence from Africa, Central America, and Asia, examines why rural parents in developing nations do or do not send children to primary school when compulsory education cannot be enforced. Considers economic aims, literary values, testing, and negative school attitudes in small areas of five countries. (SB)

This issue of the Courier contains articles loosely connected to each other by the underlying theme of developing people's capacity to improve the quality of their lives. The following articles are included: "Development of Human Resources--A Basic Needs Approach," by Mohiuddin Ahmad; "Rural Poverty," by the United Nations Food…

Originally presented at a forum on participatory research, these theoretical papers and case studies represent an effort to place the overall work of participatory research within the larger theoretical context of research methods, education, and structural change. In the first paper Orlando Fals Borda explores the relationship between science and…

This booklet discusses, in the context of low-income countries, a series of planning issues bridging education and communication. The planning issues include the democratization of educational opportunity, the quality of instruction and learning, the impact of education through technology on rural areas, and the participation of people in their…

Despite United Nations' efforts, inequality of access for girls and women to technical and vocational education (TVE) persists in India. Challenges of the 21st century with regard to ensuring equal access of girls and women to TVE include: increasing the participation of girls (especially rural girls) in TVE; overcoming gender bias and…