What and how much can children learn without subject teachers? In an attempt to find a limit to self organized learning, we explored the capacity of 10-14 year old Tamil-speaking children in a remote Indian village to learn basic molecular biology, initially on their own with a Hole-in-the-Wall public computer facility, and later with the help of…

In 1975, an experimental school program was introduced into three Indian villages, in order to make school schedules, curriculum, and teaching more relevant to village life; to select local residents as teachers; and to involve parents in planning. This article describes this program's implementation and notes its subsequent extension. (Author/SJL)

This issue of the Courier contains articles loosely connected to each other by the underlying theme of developing people's capacity to improve the quality of their lives. The following articles are included: "Development of Human Resources--A Basic Needs Approach," by Mohiuddin Ahmad; "Rural Poverty," by the United Nations Food…

Equivalency programmes (EPs) refers to alternative education programmes that are equivalent to the formal education system in terms of curriculum and certification, policy support mechanisms, mode of delivery, staff training, and other support activities such as monitoring, evaluation and assessment. The development of EPs is potentially an…

This document is intended to assist individuals directly involved in delivery and implementation of grassroots continuing education programs in the Asia-Pacific region. The first half of the handbook consists of chapters on the following topics: (1) the handbook's structure, contents, audience, and use; (2) the nature and scope of continuing…