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School education is a gateway to the opportunities and benefits of economic and social development. The global education for all (EFA) effort provides added momentum for the growth in school education. Furthermore, globalization and the increasing demand for a more sophisticated labour force combined with the growth of knowledge based economies gives a sense of urgency to the heightened demand for school education.

Providing quality education to young people not only opens up more opportunities and aspirations; it can also build tolerance and trust among a group of people whose informed citizenship is crucial to the formation and maintenance of cohesive, open societies. In addition to fostering the qualities of engaged citizenship in today’s young people, education can reduce the likelihood that youngsters will engage in risky or social behaviours.

This book explores the key issues facing school education in the 21st century. In a global development community where gains and successes are always hard won, providing youngsters with a dynamic education that takes them from basic through secondary to tertiary education and beyond and that helps spur economic growth is surely one of the best investments a country can make especially when it applies equally to girls and boys. This book puts forth policy alternatives and options to assist policymakers in developing countries and transition economies as they expand, reform, and transform their school education systems for a brighter future.