This first volume in a two-part report reviews completed and proposed research studies on learning needs and problems in primary education and describes research proposed for Afghanistan, Australia, Bangladesh, India, the Republic of Korea, Malaysia, Nepal, Pakistan, the Philippines, and Thailand. An introductory chapter considers the following factors involved in children's failure in primary school: lack of emotional and financial support; inadequacies in the school's physical environment or learning climate; and difficulties in adjustment and motivation, especially for children disadvantaged by their social group, language, physical location, or health. The second chapter gives an overview of research studies that illustrate types of investigation conducted in the region. In the third chapter, further research required in the region is described under ten headings: (1) preparation of children for school; (2) teaching strategies and instructional materials for disadvantaged children; (3) linguistic development in primary education; (4) meta-analysis research; (5) ethnographic studies; (6) cognitive development and education; (7) indicators of learning problems; (8) factors conducive to learning; (9) wider implementation of successful programs; and (10) communication of information about research findings. The final chapter lists recommendations for implementing research studies and specific research proposed by member countries in the first five areas. (CB)