A large majority of the world's people are denied access to learning. The link between technical and vocational education (TVE) and individual and workplace economic productivity is well documented. Many countries are experiencing combinations of increasing populations of young people and high unemployment rates. Existing traditions of training…

This report documents the depth of the crisis affecting higher education systems throughout the developing world and shows how developing countries can achieve the goals of greater efficiency, quality, and equity in higher education. A review of country experiences suggests four key directions for reform. First, reform programs should encourage…

Central government's supply-side expansions of schooling have not equally benefited all members of society, especially girls, indigenous peoples, tribal groups, disadvantaged minorities, and the poor. Public spending on education is often inefficient, higher education is subsidized at primary education's expense, and costs are becoming…

Central governments' supply-side expansions of schooling have not equally benefited all members of society, especially girls, indigenous peoples, tribal groups, disadvantaged minorities, and the poor. Public spending on education is often inefficient, higher education is subsidized at primary education's expense, and costs are becoming…

Expansion of the past 10 years in Asian higher education and associated problems, as well as the role of colleges and universities in national development, are discussed in 11 papers from a 1985 International Seminar. Paper titles and authors include: "Prospects and Problems in Asian Higher Education: Introductory Presentation by the…

One of the long-standing priorities of the international community is to reduce gender disparity in developing countries. Yet, the overall picture is still gloomy: women continue to be excluded from access to resources and employment and are denied basic human rights. This Policy Brief explains why progress has been so minimal and what should be…

Central governments' supply-side expansions of schooling have not equally benefited all members of society, especially girls, indigenous peoples, tribal groups, disadvantaged minorities, and the poor. Public spending on education is often inefficient, higher education is subsidized at primary education's expense, and costs are becoming…

Distance learning is not a new phenomenon; online learning is, however, a new, exciting form of distance education. As with all novel ideas, online learning has vehement opponents and supporters, but it is an inevitable step in university instruction. Many online degree and certificate programs are currently available. Adversaries of online…

This report provides an overview of the state of vocational education and training systems in the Czech Republic, in the context of the history and the present economic development of the country. The report is organized in nine sections that cover the following topics: (1) political and socioeconomic background information, including economic…

This report by the UNESCO Institute for Education compares approaches to providing nonformal education to out-of-school children in Bangladesh, Burundi, Colombia, India, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. The report analyzes some of the educational and demographic characteristics of the six countries, and the countries' policies concerning universal primary…

This study's objectives are to describe South Africa's apartheid education policy in Namibia, to identify imbalances in educational opportunities and the impact of apartheid education on the African population, and to provide information for future educational policy formulation. Based on historical and present data--both official and…

Premises and conditions necessary to foster the democratization of higher education, particularly in the context of lifelong education, are summarized. Attention is directed to: measures that have been followed in various countries to promote admission to and completion of higher studies; and achievements and obstacles confronted in these efforts.…

In the Third World, women's literacy and access to primary education lags behind that of men, and the situation is more accentuated for rural than for urban women. In general, rural women have lower literacy than rural men and than urban women. Because a considerable percentage of girls enrolled in primary school are over 14 years old, marriage,…

Education in Sri Lanka is discussed as part of a series focusing on UNESCO's involvement in education in developing nations. The document is presented in four sections. Section I examines educational objectives since 1948 including literacy, extending basic education to all citizens, absorbing all schools into a state system, and establishing…

Shows how Tunisia's national educational program is implemented unevenly in different regions with resulting disadvantages for rural populations, especially rural girls and women. Specifies ways the politics and public policy appear to influence regional differences in educational outcomes. Examines educational, economic, and political…