Provision for the retention of primary school pupils beyond the first few years of schooling is an endemic problem in the developing member countries of the Commonwealth. In recognition of this stark reality the learning needs of children by-passed by the formal system were discussed at the pan-Commonwealth Specialist Conference on Non-Formal Education for Development held in New Delhi, in February 1979. That conference recommended that member states should “ensure that non-formal education programmes are available to provide drop-outs and school leavers with second chances for education, thus enabling them to acquire knowledge and skills for self-employment”.