The background of the educational system in North Yemen is reviewed and some of the problems facing the system are described. The findings from examining documents and on-site visitations are summarized as follows: (1) the view is confirmed that developing countries with long history and cultural heritage are torn between keeping their traditions and moving towards modernization; (2) non-Yemeni educators, drawn from various nationalities, transplant their own systems in North Yemen which often conflict in view; (3) some Yemeni officials believe that establishing a center for research will immediately solve all their problems; (4) major educational problems include an extremely high percentage of dropouts in elementary education (about 80 percent), a lack of interpretation of data on a level that would be understood by the average official in the Ministry of Education, the need for indigenous teachers especially in the secondary schools, and the lack of local curriculum development rather than depending upon imported programs; and (5) there is hope for the future of education in North Yemen because the Ministry of Education realizes that there are problems and is willing to cooperate with researchers and educators from any place. (RL)