Over
150 participants discussed the need to improve education
quality to achieve development outcomes, and close the
gender gap. Dr. Chutikul (Thailand) spoke of quality
education as a right in the Convention on the Rights of
the Child. She reminded participants that children
themselves state that relevant and good quality education
is what they need most.
Steve Woodhouse (UNICEF) emphasized that access without
quality is tantamount to no access at all. He outlined
five dimensions of quality: what learners bring, learning
environments, content, processes and outcomes, and how
girls face extra obstacles.
Emmy Simmons (US) reviewed principles underlying USAID’s
work in quality education based on lessons learned. Mr.
Jouen (Education International) made an impassioned plea
for teachers as pivotal actors in achieving quality.
Mia Farrow spoke of the need to create safe learning
environments for girls.
Mr. Castelli (AVSI) highlighted good practices in working
with teachers and communities in Uganda and Albania. Mr.
Bell (Global Campaign for Education) emphasized the link
between quality of education and girls’ success in school.
Cream Wright (UNICEF) concluded that quality is the most
challenging dimension of the task to achieve Education for
All and Millennium Decade Goals.
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