Last week, in a highly unusual action, 80 chief executives of U.S. corporations joined in a formal protest at the situation, signing a document pressuring Congress to reduce the federal deficit and begin spending cuts.
The companies' boards agreed to merge late Wednesday, four people close to the situation told the AP, and a formal announcement is expected early Thursday.
The traditional system of emphasising investment in formal education at the expense of adult literacy and education programmes has, however, worsened the situation.