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The second Goal proposed in the Millennium Summit reflects the commitment adopted by the international community to achieve universal primary education as a way to promote equality and social inclusion, reduce extreme poverty, and to make progress in achieving a wide range of economic, social, and cultural rights for all children worldwide (P. Villatoro, 2007/1).
MDG 2 has one single Target 2A (formerly Target 3) which calls for children everywhere, boys and girls alike to be able to complete a full course of primary schooling by 2015,. In order to achieve this Goal, the United Nations has urged the countries to commit resources to primary education, to tailor education to the specific needs of the countries, in particular by focusing on the poorest population, and to promote programs for school feeding as to motivate school attendance.
It is important to mention that primary education is mandatory in all countries in the region, thus reflecting the importance countries place on this goal and the concern in adequately monitoring the target.
Target 2A includes 3 indicators; the first one refers to the enrolment rate; the second indicator measures completion; and the third indicator refers to the literacy rate of young people (from 15 to 24 year-olds, men and women).
Additionally, ECLAC has proposed a number of supplementary indicators which might be useful to monitor this goal in Latin American and Caribbean countries considering the new challenges the region faces. The areas covered by the indicators proposed include literacy in adults, pre-school education, and secondary education.
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