Education for AllThis is a featured page

This page introduces the World Statement on Education for All, adopted in 1990 by UN nations. The full text of that statement is accessible here.

In March 1990 in Jomtien, Thailand, some 1,500 participants met in order to address the critical importance of providing basic education for all. It was recognized that, following a slowing down of school enrolment in several regions throughout the 1980s, mobilization of new partnerships and support for basic education were urgently needed. A declaration and framework for action was agreed upon which encouraged action at global, regional and national levels. Each government was asked to set its goals and objectives on the basis of the Jomtien Declaration and Framework for Action. It was agreed that the crucial part of education is not mere school attendance but learning. In this connection, it was recognized that school enrolment would frequently give a false impression of the efficiency of a particular education system where learning achievement is often dismally low. The quality of education was thus presented as ultimately more important than mere access to schooling.

The World Declaration on Education for All underlined the importance of ‘meeting basic learning needs’ for all and set out an expanded vision and a renewed commitment. This expanded vision would encompass:
  • universalizing access and promoting equity;
  • focusing on learning;
  • broadening the means and scope of basic education;
  • strengthening partnerships.
The Framework for Action encouraged countries to set their own targets for the 1990s around the following six dimensions:
  1. expansion of early childhood care and development;
  2. universal access to and completion of primary education by the year 2000;
  3. improvement of learning achievement;
  4. reduction of the adult illiteracy rate;
  5. expansion of basic education and training in essential skills required by young people and adults;
  6. increased acquisition by individuals and families of the knowledge, skills and values
  7. required for better living and for sustainable development through all educational channels.
At the central level, the Education for All (EFA) Forum was officially constituted on the initiative of the five conveners—the United Nations Development Programme, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, the United Nations Population Fund, the United Nations Children’s Fund and the World Bank—with the following objectives:
  • to monitor progress by countries and organizations towards education for all;
  • to ensure that basic education remains on the world’s development agenda (advocacy and
  • information);
  • to promote dialogue and co-operation among Education for All partners.
UNESCO, whose mandate gives the highest priority to education, offered to host the EFA Forum Secretariat, which was consequently established in Paris at UNESCO Headquarters in order to execute the programme approved by the EFA Forum Steering Committee. This Steering Committee has a very broad representation of all major partners at international level involved in different ways in supporting and developing education for all world-wide. The members include, in addition to the above mentioned conveners, UNDESA, the World Health Organization as well as other international governmental bodies, all major bilateral donors, a broad representation of leading non-governmental organizations and regional representation.

Full text of World Declaration on Education for All: The Jomtien Declaration


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dmccall 		Latest page update: made by dmccall , Sep 21 2010, 4:56 PM EDT (about this update About This Update dmccall Edited by dmccall

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