ABSTRACT
This chapter explores feasible measures in which the interrelated issues of food security, sustainable rural development and relevant basic education can be tackled together, focusing on interventions which have the greatest effect on poverty eradication. Successful rural development goes beyond increased productivity in agriculture. The provision of quality primary education has efficiency enhancing effects on various rural activities. School attainment is certainly related to economic growth, but the quantity of schooling is a very crude measure of people's knowledge and cognitive skills. Relevant basic education is aimed at equipping children and young people with skills, knowledge and understanding to help them deal with real life challenges and help them become active members of society. Education systems in developing countries are often centralized and very demanding and leave little time or opportunities for localized interpretation of the content. Many development policies, including those of the European Community, therefore encourage approaches which integrate multiple strategies for poverty eradication.
