Nov 27, 2012
The Millennium Development Goal of universal primary-school completion has been successful. By 2011, 90 percent of countries had already met the goal; only 19 of 212 countries are unlikely to meet it by 2015.
That is good news for international campaigns and government efforts to get more kids in school. But meeting enrollment targets does not necessary improve education. In many countries on target to meet the schooling goal, only a small percentage of students actually meet minimal competency levels in reading, math, and science. As a result, many in the international education community—and some country policymakers, too—are beginning to shift their focus from getting kids in school to making sure they learn while there.
To read a full summary of the Wonkcast, visit www.cgdev.org/wonkcast.