The worldwide expansion of education since the middle of the Twentieth Century: reconstruction and assessment

Abstract

This paper has a dual purpose, namely to reconstruct the defining moments in the global history of developments in education, and to assess the outcomes and consequences of the expansion of education. In this paper, the literature survey as method for collecting information was utilised. The historical method was utilised at the second level. Guided by literature, the impressive developments and innovations in education in the West, the East and the Global South were reconstructed, in particular since the 1960s. The paper shows that, despite global endeavours to eliminate disparities in education, there are still no equal opportunities pertaining to quality and accessibility. Possible reasons for the inequalities are highlighted. The paper emphasises the necessity for local and international collaboration in order to establish equal access to high-quality education for all children worldwide.