3 questions to Simon Ellis of the EFA Observatory

1- Around 70 per cent of developing countries are reported to lack reliable data collection and analysing capacity to correctly prepare their Education for All plans. What is the implication of this for your work?

This is a huge challenge. The Observatory's remit is to gather statistics to measure progress towards the six EFA goals rather than to follow the development of national action plans. We try to convince countries that when they prepare action plans they should consider not only the resources they need to meet the EFA goals but also those to monitor their progress. All national plans should include a monitoring mechanism.

2 - What is the role of the EFA Observatory in improving countries' monitoring capacities?

We help countries to identify their monitoring problems and what is required to improve them. Each year we organize regional workshops to train educational statisticians and policy-makers. One problem is the turnover among participants. Many countries have problems keeping trained statisticians and information specialists.

3 - What do you do about some countries reluctant to show their lack of progress in education?

Our task is to help countries and we need to get a realistic picture of their performance. Our responsibility is not only to report on how countries are doing in achieving Education for All but also to assess the progress made by the international community. The annual Monitoring Report on EFA, which will be a collaborative report by countries, civil society and development agencies, will aim at reflecting this reality. It will not only put forward the statistics but also explain what these statistics mean.

Much more on www.unesco.org/education/efa

Education Today, Executive Office, Education Sector, UNESCO
7, place de Fontenoy - 75352 Paris 07 SP - France - Tel: 33 1 45 68 21 27 - Fax: 33 1 45 68 56 26/27
E:mail: t.murtagh@unesco.org