Education, particularly education of girls and women, facilitates improvement in many human development indicators such as reduced fertility and better health and nutrition for children. Education is a basic human right recognized in the Universal Declaration of Human Rights approved by the General Assembly of the United Nations in 1948. Both ADB and the region it serves are changing. Regional economies are rapidly moving towards higher technology and provision of services. Urbanization and increased life expectancies are changing the distribution and composition of populations.
Globalization demands increased productivity and maintaining international quality standards.
The information technology revolution requires changes in the way knowledge is acquired and transmitted. To reflect these changes, ADB has recognized that its role must evolve from that of project financier to incorporate greater provision of policy advice, technical expertise and capacity building. This implies that its role in the education sector must evolve simultaneously. Education too has undergone rapid change. Many countries of the region have achieved universal primary education and are expanding the period of compulsory education in response to economic and social demand.