Who benefits from development and education? 

Within the development discourse, what type of education is needed and based upon whose viewpoint: the global economy, governments, or local populations?

The global economy requires a Western modern style education that has spread through colonialization and which almost all countries now embrace.  Global corporations need educated and skilled workers to produce and sell goods to further expand materialism and consumption throughout the world (i.e. McDonalds, Starbucks, Nike, Microsoft, etc.).

To compete in the global economy, governments are under pressure to enroll all students in Western style schools, whilst also attempting to preserve their national identity.  The Education for All (EFA) movement initiated by the United Nations intended to have all children in school by 2015.  As the goal was not reached, the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) were developed:

SDG 4.1 states: "By 2030, ensure that all girls and boys complete free, equitable and quality primary and secondary education leading to effective learning outcomes.

SDG 4.4 states: By 2030, substantially increase the number of youth and adults who have relevant skills, including technical and vocational skills, for employment and decent jobs". 

Technical and vocational skills needed to work in the global economy.

With the advent and spread of modern education, local populations in developing countries are no longer learning the social ecological relationships of their culture, language, and land which has been taught for thousands of years.  Ironically, traditional education was inherently sustainable and taught how the environment, land, water, food and one’s culture are intrinsically woven together. 

The world’s focus on Western values taught through education in conjunction with the global economic production and consumption of material goods are not sustainable actions.