New Functions of Higher Education in Achieving Education for all

Abstract

Higher education is at the top of the education pyramid and determines to a large extent the state of the education system of the country, especially its quality. As such it has a responsibility towards the whole education system as it has towards the whole of society.

The World Conference on Higher Education has one of the missions and functions of higher education: “to contribute to the development and improvement of education at all levels, including through training of teachers.”

Higher education has an important role to play through its graduates who should provide leadership roles in education as researchers, teachers, consultants and managers, who should create and apply new knowledge and innovations, and who should provide analytical perspectives on development problems and service to public and private sectors.

Higher education through its research function could identify the preconditions for a supportive policy context for the development of basic education and explore techniques of mobilizing resources. Through its research, training and service programmes (the three principal functions), it could contribute to build national technical capacity and contribute to strengthening international solidarity.

In particular, to promote basic education for all, higher education through its three principal functions, could improve access and equity in basic education, its quality and relevance and improve its efficiency and management.