ABSTRACT

The number of children enrolled in primary education in the developing world doubled between 1960 and 1975 to about 236 million. Enrollment at the secondary and higher levels of education expanded even more rapidly than at the primary level. The period since 1960 has also seen some change in the emphasis in educational development plans from quantitative expansion to qualitative improvement. Education has been seen as a component of the economic structure of society, contributing directly to productivity of manpower, generating increased lifetime earnings for individuals, and providing the skills and entrepreneurial talent which lead to economic growth. Education as social good and education as component of economic growth are not necessarily incompatible views. The strategy which is achieving general acceptance has two components: improving the efficiency of education and linking post-primary education more effectively with manpower needs and employment opportunities.