Basic education and the World Bank : crisis and response in the 1980s

Basic education is a crucial, often underfunded component of national development. Theories based on basic needs both illustrate the links between education and other goals associated with the elimination of poverty and define the types of education needed to maximise these links and advance these goals. Third World progress towards basic educational goals, as measured by first level enrollment, literacy and resources available to education, has been slowed particularly as a result of economic pressures. Measures taken by international organisations to relieve these pressures have not adequately protected the poor; and in some cases have adversely affected the maintenance of systems of basic education.The World Bank, as the world's largest development organisation and as one concerned with economic adjustment, is changing its policies to adapt to this situation. (These changes are taking place in an institution noted for being more oriented to economic growth than to human needs.) There is, however, room for cautious optimism that trends within and without the Bank may converge to bring basic education to a higher place on the development agenda