Ahmed, S. /Educationia Confab ISSN: 2320-009X Vol. 2, No. 4, April 2013 12 State of Primary Education: The Global Experience Sahidul Ahmed Assistant Professor, Ambedkar College, Tripura University, Fatikroy, Unakoti, Tripura Abstract Primary education is a crucial and initial stage of school education. During the last 60 years the world has experienced a rapid development in education, especially in elementary education sector. Now, more number of children is going to school than even before. Gross enrolment ratio, net enrolment ratio, dropout rate and other indicators of primary education are improving which clarified the fact that the situation of primary education of the world is changing very first. More numbers of school are established in every country of the world which helps the children to access schooling facilities within walk able distance. A large proportion of budget’s amount is allotted for education. But the question is whether this development is universal or are some regions of the world lagging behind from others? Is access of primary education still a luxury for the children in some regions/countries the world? The preset study dealt with this quest and found that the development of primary education is not homogeneous across the region/countries of the world. South Asia and Sub-Saharan Africa are the most underdeveloped regions compared to other regions of the world. Key words: Primary education, development, countries, South Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa Introduction Education being one of the most important factors responsible to shape the personality of an individual has manifold functions. Especially, primary education 1 is more important for life and significance of primary education is more than the other stages of education. In the year 1948, the Universal Declaration of Human Right 2 (thereafter UDHR) had made basic education as right of every human being. The article 26 of the UDHR states as: 1. Everyone has the right to education. Education shall be free, at least in the elementary and fundamental stages. Elementary education shall be compulsory. Technical and professional education shall be made generally available and higher education shall be equally accessible to all on the basis of merit. 2. Education shall be directed to the full development of the human personality and to the strengthening of respect for human rights and fundamental freedoms. It shall promote understanding, tolerance and friendship among all nations, racial or religious groups, and shall further the activities of the United Nations for the maintenance of peace. 3. Parents have a prior right to choose the kind of education that shall be given to their children (http://www.un.org/en/documents/udhr/index.shtml).