Early childhood education (ECE) programs are expanding across sub-Saharan Africa. But the quality of these programs, and their effectiveness when implemented at scale, remains unclear. Defining quality is not simple, as learning environments are shaped by cultural values and societal sociodemographics. Framed within sociocultural theory, this…

This article combines large-scale bibliometric analysis of publications on education by researchers based in sub-Saharan Africa with researchers' accounts of their priorities and practice. Patterns in the thematic foci of the research from 48 countries in the region are considered from the perspective of international policy statements (the…

This article has four sections. First, the author presents a theoretical discussion of the different explanations regarding the explosion of education after World War II. She explains how the actor-network theory--a theory of knowledge and of agency--enables people to understand the formation of the education-economic growth black box. The…

Focuses on the impact of overseas training on national development objectives in Sub-Saharan Africa. Reviews the current economic crisis in Africa and the need for high-level, skilled workers. Examines the advantages and disadvantages of foreign study as a means of developing competent indigenous professionals. Notes pertinent research issues. (SB)

Suggests that the economic crisis in sub-Saharan Africa cannot be alleviated by any feasible educational changes. Argues for modest but persistent educational development, recognizing the futility of promoting educational reform and typical international assistance projects when existing educational systems are dangerously constrained by basic…

The conjunction of development funding and educational research in Africa and the dominating role of a single agency, the World Bank, have consequences for research and educational policy: structuring of research according to agency constructs and policies, legitimation of poorly supported propositions, lack of critical review, a fixation on…

This paper examines in detail how the Western type of education was introduced and developed among the Igbo at the primary or elementary stage during the colonial period in Africa. (Author)

Examines, as a case study, the influence of notions of cultural adaptation in the education of the Maori people of New Zealand and the extent to which the African experience, in particular, was influential in contributing to the shape of Maori educational policy. (Author/RK)

Identifies the main educational issues in Africa today as stagnation of enrollments and erosion of quality. Outlines policy strategies involving adjustment to demographic and fiscal realities, revitalization of the educational infrastructure, and selective expansion of services. Discusses the role of the international donor community. (SV)

Criticizes the World Bank report for (1) its neglect of African educational research; (2) recommended input-focused monitorial strategies to improve schooling that ignore curriculum and instructional issues; and (3) recommended cost-sharing and cost-recovery measures that finance qualitative improvements but erode quantitative gains in equitable…

Comments on World Bank report. Emphasizes the importance of raising teacher morale and motivation, providing primary education to the most deprived groups, and continuing technical and managerial training needed for Africa's development. Disagrees with the Bank's view that decentralization and school autonomy would improve administrative…

Comments on World Bank report. Agrees with improved primary school quality as principal focus of endeavor, but suggests that Bank views on decentralization of primary school finance are incompatible with achievement of universal primary education. Questions whether suggested cost containment measures for higher education are politically feasible.…

Describes the financial crisis in African education, and comments on the World Bank's recommended educational strategies: selective expansion of services, financial adjustment through cost sharing and containment, and revitalization. Presents 26 specific suggestions for the Kenyan situation. (SV)

Contains 460 citations on comparative and international education from journals published in late 1993 and 1994. Limited to articles in English with a broad comparative focus. Organized into six broad subject categories and six geographic areas. (SV)

A comparison of literacy efforts and outcomes in Tanzania, Zimbabwe, and Botswana suggests that, when national literacy efforts are viewed within the framework of an exploitative and dynamic world economy, few general rules can be deduced about the importance of literacy or how to achieve it. Decisions about African societal priorities must be…