This digest focuses on problems encountered in the expansion of facilities for universal primary education and responses being developed to overcome these problems. The central message of the document is that nonformal structures of learning and community involvement play a key role in the expansion of basic learning opportunities in the developing world. The digest contains 10 chapters divided among 4 sections. Introductory materials in Section I address the concept of universal primary education and the meaning of nonformal education. Topics discussed in Section II concern experiences of several countries, including Bangladesh, India, and Kenya, in implementing nonformal education. Also discussed are criteria for the identification of nonformal educational programs. Section III concerns the education of girls and women. Section IV covers general principles of community participation, presents a case study from the Caribbean on community participation, and explores ways of tapping community resources for construction of primary school buildings. Two appendixes are included. Appendix I offers the text of relevant sections of UNESCO's Second Medium Term Plan (1984-1989). Appendix II provides annotated bibliographic citations on children, families, and communities. (RH)