This book debunks the argument that quality in education can only be achieved by limiting, or trading off, equality. The quality of schooling is a major issue for Third World nations across the globe. However there is no single measure which is universally accepted. Whether it is, as some economists might argue, an issue of the number of desks per classroom or one of national sovereignty is widely disputed. Defining equality in education becomes increasingly difficult in an era of globalization in which there exists a wide gap between rich and poor, both within and between nations. In the context of an international move towards New Right politics and neo-liberal economic ideologies, both the quality and equality of education are imperiled. This book argues that any worthy definition of quality education must include the interests and participation of the underprivileged.

1. Introduction: Quality and Equality in Third World Education Anthony R. Welch 2. The Tension between Quantity and Quality in Nicaraguan Education Robert F. Arnove 3. The Struggle to Achieve Quality: A Case Study of Palestinian Education Ibtisam Abu-Duhou 4. The Mirror of China: Questions of Quality and Equality R.F. Price 5. Reflection upon Class and Inequality in Chinese Education Erwin Epstein 6. Education and Mutuality - an Action Perspective Jane Hayes-Orton 7. 'Post-Marxist' Discourse and the Rethinking of Third World Educational Reform Ann Hickling Hudson 8. Qualifications, Quality and Inequality: A Political Economy of Sri Lankan Education Angela Little 9. The Search for Quality and Equality: The Case of Papua New Guinea Sheldon Weeks 10. The State, Adult Literacy Policy and Inequality in Botswana Frank Youngman 11. The Struggle for Quality and Inequality in Iranian Education: Problems, Progress and Prospects Gholam A. Tavassoli, Anthony R. Welch and K. Houshyar