1. Presentation to Grade 8, Changing our World Sofia Shakil, April 18, 2011 Challenges, Responses and Opportunities for Increasing Access to Quality Education in Developing Societies

2.  Large numbers of out of school children: low primary school participation rates; skewed pyramid with restricted access to secondary  Glaring inequities: gender (particularly for girls at middle and secondary level); rural areas; income groups  Weak parental and stakeholder participation (or absence of “voice”/accountability)  Poorly managed school support systems

3.  Low supply: inadequate classrooms and other infrastructure (examples?)  Insufficient availability of teachers: pupil-teacher ratios; subject specialists  Inadequate learning/supplementary material: textbooks and blackboard predominantly  Weak systems to measure learning and identify gaps  Poor supervision and support for teachers

4.  World Bank finances Government programs for education reforms (through projects, and policy loans)  Other Donors/Agencies: ADB, other regional banks; bilaterals such as AUSAID, DFID, USAID, CIDA, SIDA  Important role of civil society organizations: community mobilization/school management committee formation; non-formal education programs – key: support function, can never replace government, but support it  Private sector (market response): rise of private sector education, even in rural areas – low cost private schools

5.  Innovation, reform, commitment ◦ articulation of Education for All and Millennium Development Goals ◦ culture of awareness and more financing available ◦ public private partnership  Tackling governance/management issues ◦ merit based teacher recruitment ◦ School Management Committees  Focus on Quality ◦ High on the agenda: parents demand and pay ◦ Textbook improvement and supplementary material ◦ Innovation in teaching and learning techniques  Emphasis on Girls Education ◦ Stipends; home based / residential programs ◦ priority for school improvement/toilets/sanitations ◦ teacher recruitment  Higher Education and Skill Development