Introduction

This topic looks at the reason why 'focusing on learning' is a key aspect of the expanded vision of the Education for All enterprise. It will review important factors that affect learning and identify effective ways of assessing learning. This unit will also address the issue of 'quality education', identifying what is meant by quality education as well as examining ways of ensuring its delivery. It will also focus on developing the creative, spiritual and aesthetic potential of children, areas which are not so easily measured.

The provision of more education may simply result in increased enrolments and do little or nothing to increase sustainable learning outcomes. Focusing on learning is important to the EFA enterprise because expanded educational opportunities will lead to meaningful development for an individual or society only if people actually learn as a consequence of these activities. Enrolment does not mean that learning is taking place. It is, therefore, important that particular attention be paid to learning: the process of learning -the key factors involved in it; as well as the assessment of learning. Learning achievement needs to be assessed without incurring the all too common disadvantages of an examination-driven system.