Arab world’s educational deficit

The World Bank report suggests educational reform to combat unemploment rates [Getty]

According to a new report from the World Bank, the quality of education in the Arab world is falling behind other regions and needs urgent reform.

 

The report states that Arab countries need to make education their top priority in order to meet the needs of a young population and rapidly-expanding labour market.

 

It cites low literacy rates and poor rates of enrolment compared to other parts of the world such as Asia and Latin America.
 
The report comes hard on the heels of a study published last month by Arab League researchers which suggested nearly a third of the Arab world, which totals some 300 million people, is illiterate.

 

It recommends that Arab states create education reforms that will help combat unemployment rates, one of the major problems facing the Arab world.
 
Inside Story asks what are the reasons for the educational deficit, and what can and should be done about it?

 

 
This episode of Inside Story aired on Sunday, February 10, 2008 at 17.30 GMT