The material included in this document, drawn from the debates and the working papers presented at the Third Regional Conference of Ministers of Education and Those Responsible for Economic Planning in Asia, focuses on the concerns of education policy-makers in Asia and the programs and priorities they envisage for the growth and development of education in that region. The background of changing patterns in educational systems--the economic needs of society, social and cultural aspirations, and forces that have their origin in the educational system itself--is discussed. Some common problems and issues in planning for reform and development are noted. Discussions of education and development in rural areas, adult education and literacy, science education, and technical education and training, enlarge on perspectives for educational change. Appendices include projections of educational growth in Asis (1971-1980) and statistical tables related to these projections. (SHM)