Basic Education - A Foundation

There were also differences of interpretation of the term Basic", where the Declaration seeks to define basic learning needs. While advocates of the concept emphasized that to meet basic learning needs is to provide all with the foundation of knowledge on which further learning, growth and development should be built, some delegates considered it important to re-emphasize the point that:

the objective should not be to impart a minimum of knowledge but to acquire a maximum of solid bases for the transition to other education levels, for life-long education, for active shaping of one's own life and society.

Others were of the view that the final Declaration would have to be strengthened to underscore the importance of developing the spiritual, ethical and moral aspects of the human being. The Declaration was amended accordingly. (See Article 1.)