Brasília - Improving the quality of education in the world. This is the objective of the 4th Meeting of the High-Level Group on Education for All (EFA), which began today in Brasília and runs through Wednesday (10). This is the first event of its kind in Latin America. It was organized by the United Nations Education, Science, and Culture Organization (UNESCO), in partnership with the Ministry of Education.

The encounter will discuss steps to attain the goals adopted by around 160 countries during the World Education Forum, held in Dakar, Senegal, in 2000, related to advances in the quality of public education, literacy instruction, and teacher training.

The UNESCO representative in Brazil, Jorge Werthein, said that Brazil has raised and improved its literacy indices among young people and adults. According to him, Brazil recognizes the need to combat the poor quality of fundamental education.

The event brings together around 30 Ministers of Education from developing countries, Ministers of Development and International Cooperation from developed countries, heads of multilateral and bilateral agencies, and representatives of civil society.

Agência Brasil
Reporter: Débora Barbosa
Translator: David Silberstein
11/08/2004