The basic point to be considered in establishing a curriculum for elementary and secondary schools in the arid areas of the world is relevancy. Usually, the educational system of an area reflects the dominant culture of the political power in control. However, the educational system of the dominant culture might not be relevant to the people of arid or rural areas. This situation can be seen by comparing the public schools of Nogales, Sonora, Mexico and Nogales, Arizona. On the Mexican side of the border the schools are controlled in part from Mexico City and reflect a strong French tradition of intellectual development and no practical application of knowledge. In Nogales, Arizona, the schools reflect more local control, and the curriculum is more flexible, pragmatic, and meaningful to the population affected by it. To be more effective, any curriculum should be developed from data collected about the learner which reflect the following: (1) biological and psychological factors; (2) sociocultural factors; (3) subject matter content; (4) philosophy of education; and (5) learning theory. (RH)