It is a strength to build on. With two- thirds of the world's people and five of its nine most populous countries, this region of contrasts presents a classic test case for education. The past ten years have seen great advances in primary school enrolment. China and Indonesia are close to achieving full primary school enrolment and have raised their literacy rates. Non-formal initiatives in adult education are flourishing in the region, as is early childhood education.
Quality is now an issue in many countries.
The crippling East Asian economic crisis of 1997, whose impact is still being felt, was a real setback for education. Socio-economic inequality are still present, such as gender disparities and other obstacles to education for all. The gender gap has narrowed, but not by much. In the long run, only education can bridge the gulf between richer east Asian countries and their poorer south Asian counterparts. The potential of education in Asia and the Pacific is as huge as the challenges it faces.