Progress, achievements, and setbacks in basic education for all, 2000-2020: A focus on the Asia-Pacific

This chapter explores progress in basic education in the Asia Pacific region during the first two decades of the twenty-first century. It draws on international data sources to review trends in levels of access, progression, completion, and learning outcomes for the region as a whole and for three subregions. It shows that while signs of progress in pre-primary, primary, and secondary education are readily apparent, such progress is uneven both within countries and across the region. Issues related to quality education, educational inequality and inclusion, and learning outcomes have been-and continue to pose-significant challenges. Initial evidence suggests that educational progress in different subregions stagnated or worsened during the Covid-19 pandemic. Securing resources to address existing and future challenges in basic education constitutes a major policy priority.