At the start of the 21st century, representatives from 164 countries gathered in Senegal’s capital Dakar. At the end of discussions, which took place in April, they all agreed to transform the quality of education throughout the world. Accordingly, they put pen to paper and signed the Dakar Framework for Action, Education for All: Meeting our Collective Commitments. Things were going to change.

There were six main targets to meet by 2015 and while admittedly ambitious, they were nevertheless, highly achievable. Everyone was keen to see significant progress made and for it to be done rather swiftly. Now, reflecting on the interim years, the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (Unesco) has delivered a report. It’s a sobering read.

While notable progress has been made internationally over the last 15 years, there is still a lot of work to be done to achieve the desired goal - education for all. Before we delve into that, the positives first. The number of youngsters out of school has fallen by almost half; approximately 34 million more children have attended school; and gender parity - especially in primary schools - has improved.

Now, unfortunately, this exceptional record is somewhat tempered by the negatives. For example, around 58 million children do not attend school; 100 million children fail to complete primary school; inequality in education is sharper than ever; and conflict continues to remain “a steep barrier”.

“What is more, education remains underfinanced,” the authors of the report continued. “Many governments have increased spending, but few have prioritised education in national budgets, and most fall short of allocating the recommended 20 per cent needed to bridge funding gaps.

“The picture is similar with donors, who, after an initial boost in aid budgets, have reduced aid to education since 2010 and not sufficiently prioritised those countries most in need.”

Here is some more detail on the global response to the six targets.

1. Early childhood care and education

Outline: Expanding and improving comprehensive early childhood care and education, especially for the most vulnerable and disadvantaged children.

The picture today: Progress has been made in boosting child nutrition, however, one in four youngsters are still “short for their age” - a sign of chronic deficiency in essential nutrients. Also, 184 million children enrolled in pre-school education (an increase of two-thirds since 1999).

2. Universal primary education

Outline: Ensuring that by 2015 all children, particularly girls, in difficult circumstances and those belonging to ethnic minorities, have access to and complete free and compulsory primary education of good quality.

The picture today: Primary school net enrolment in 1999 was 84 per cent. This year it will be 93 per cent. However, improvements made to get more children into school have “stalled”. Approximately 58 million children in 2012 were out of school.

3. Youth and adult skills

Outline: Ensuring that the learning needs of all young people and adults are met through equitable access to appropriate learning and life skills programmes.

The picture today: The lower secondary gross rate enrolment ratio rose from 71 per cent in 1999 to 85 per cent in 2012. However, inequality is still a major issue when pupils transition from primary to secondary school - disadvantaged children are still markedly less likely to continue their studies.

4. Adult literacy

Outline: Achieving a 50 per cent improvement in levels of adult literacy by 2015, especially for women, and equitable access to basic and continuing education for all adults.

The picture today: In 2000, nations were committed to halving adult illiteracy by this year. This has not been achieved. There are now around 781 million adults who cannot read or write.

5. Gender equality

Outline: Eliminating gender disparities in primary and secondary education by 2005, and achieving gender equality in education by 2015, with a focus on ensuring girls’ full and equal access to and achievement in basic education of good quality.

The picture today: A lot of work has been done to reduce “severe gender disparity” in education. For example, the number of countries with fewer than 90 girls enrolled in primary school - for every 100 boys - is now only 16. In 1999 it was 33.

6. Quality of education

Outline: Improving all aspects of the quality of education and ensuring excellence of all so that recognised and measurable learning outcomes are achieved by all, especially in literacy, numeracy and essential life skills.

The picture today: At primary school, pupil/teacher ratios fell in the majority (83 per cent) of the 146 countries that provided data on the matter. However, in one-third of these countries, there is still a notable number of poorly trained teachers whose skills and knowledge is not up to national standards.