Also, institutional capacity in many countries, at all levels of government, is too weak to sustain the kind of educational development that is needed to respond to the challenges ahead. This scenario is partly to be attributed to the socio-political and economic problems of the last decade. In the past few years, economic and financial instability, low prices for developing countries' export commodities, declining levels of development aid, widespread civil wars and steady population growth have multiplied the numbers of those living in poverty. Hundreds of millions more people face the constant risk of sinking below the poverty line. This situation endorses all the more the fact that education is particularly important for the poor, who have to rely on their human capital as the main, if not the only, means of escaping poverty.
Education makes a significant contribution to reducing poverty.
It confers skills, knowledge and attitudes that increase the productivity of the people which in turn changes their lives and also contributes to the nation's economic growth. While there were some achievements in meeting the EFA goals proclaimed at Jomtien, much remains to be achieved, more so because of the changing demands of the time and socio-political imperatives. The World Bank is committed to working with all partners in ensuring basic education for all and better life free from poverty. Maris O'Rourke is Director of Education in the World Bank.