HRH Princess Maha Chakri
Sirindhorn arrives at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort where she presided over
UNESCO’s 10th meeting of the “Higher Level Group on Education for All”.
Staff Reporters / NNT
More than 20 years after 155 nations agreed in Jomtien Beach to provide
education for all their citizens, a smaller group of countries reconvened
here this month to review how they fell short of their goal and salvage
efforts to meet less-ambitious targets by 2015.
HRH Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn opened UNESCO’s 10th meeting of the
“Higher Level Group on Education for All” March 22. Representatives of the
34 attending countries reaffirmed political commitments to the “education
for all” concept and detailed initiatives that will allow member countries
to reach six goals set in 2000 after the failure of the 1990 Jomtien Beach
conference.
Two decades ago, representatives from 155 countries and 150 organizations
pledged to provide universal education by 2000. The intent was that
children, youths and adults would, “Benefit from educational opportunities
designed to meet their basic learning needs.” It was hailed as the
death-knell of rigid, prescriptive education systems and the start of an era
where flexibility could thrive.
By 1996, it became clear those goals would not be met and UNESCO called for
a review of the Education for All program, which led to six new goals being
set at the 2000 meeting in Senegal. The Dakar Framework for Action committed
governments to achieving quality basic education for all by 2015, with
particular emphasis on girls’ schooling and a pledge that, “No country
seriously committed to basic education will be thwarted in the achievement
of this goal by lack of resources.”
As countries met again March 22-24 at the Royal Cliff Beach Resort, just
four years are left and the United Nations says, “Major challenges remain.”
While “remarkable” advances have been made in primary school enrolment,
UNESCO said progress toward other goals has been much slower, notably in
early childhood care and education, youth and adult learning, vocational
education and training, gender equality and literacy, as well as the quality
of education.
Still, Qian Tang, assistant director-general for education at UNESCO said in
a press release, “It is very encouraging to see that some countries have
made considerable progress. This tells us that it is possible to achieve the
EFA goals through strong political will and financial support.”
Prime Minister Abhisit Vejjajiva said Thailand is committed to the EFA
goals, deeming education, “The key to the alleviation of poverty,
enhancement of human security, and peace in the midst of long-term global
changes.”
He noted the Kingdom currently runs a “15 years of free education” program
and supports school-age children with government milk and lunch programs,
disabled and rural education specialization, non-conventional education and
teacher development.
