Education in Asia and the Pacific. Retrospect: Prospect.

Offered as a tribute to the growing and fruitful spirit of regional cooperation in education in Asia and the Pacific, this volume provides a retrospective and prospective view of cooperative efforts and conditions in the 28 countries of the region. Part One outlines landmark efforts accomplished through a series of UNESCO regional conferences beginning in 1962. For example, from 1978-1985, the Asia and the Pacific Programme of Educational Innovation for Development supported almost 600 activities at inter-country and national levels, directly involving 11,500 educators in 24 countries. Activities encompassed universalization of primary education; the struggle against illiteracy; development of science and technology education; promotion of technical and vocational education; development of environmental, population, and higher education; training educational personnel; and educational planning and administration, facilities development, and research. Part Two provides statistical data to document the situation of education in the region, including population, income, poverty, life expectancy, educational attainment, enrollment, dropout percentages, teaching staff, pupil-teacher ratios, expenditures, and illiteracy rates. Part Three details the goals, priorities, and recommendations of the Fifth Regional Conference of Ministers of Education and Those Responsible for Economic Planning in Asia and the Pacific which met in Bangkok in 1985. Part Four describes recommended actions for regional education development in the areas of educational planning and management, personnel preparation/training, research, experimentation and innovation, and international cooperation. (NEC)