With the exception of Sri Lanka, South Asian countries have not achieved quality basic education – an essential measure for escaping poverty, inequality, and social exclusion. In The Political Economy of Education in South Asia, BHP director John Richards, OFP Advisory Committee member Shahidul Islam and Professor Manzoor Ahmed, document the weak core competency (reading and math) outcomes in government primary schools and the rapid growth of non-government schools over the last two decades. The authors argue that public priorities are better served when both public and non-government schools come under a strong public policy and accountability framework.