The mysterious and unspoken secrets of life can be a source of fascination for young people. The bildungsroman quest for identity is often coupled with a protagonist's attempts to decode a range of secrets. Jamaica Kincaid's work of fiction, "Annie John" (1985), illustrates this journey. In this novel, the female protagonist's maturity…

The purpose of this dialogue was to begin grappling with notions of neutrality and academic development in three non-western contexts: (1) Jamaica; (2) Ethiopia; and (3) Japan. The authors were asked to describe the political geography of academic development in their countries and to explore questions of neutrality. This dialogue therefore tries…

This article provides a critical reflective analysis of my life growing up in Jamaica where I attended colonial school, to making the transition to high school in the Canadian context. I examine the elements that have influenced my cultural/racial identity as a person of African ancestry living in the diaspora. I ask questions such as how has…

Problems of higher education in developing countries are discussed with specific reference to Jamaica. Although universities in developing nations may focus on educating students to solve national problems and to aid in development, many of the students emigrate to wealthier countries. (BH)

A self-instructional slide/tape program entitled "Idiopathic Scoliosis: Guide for Teaching Parents, Children and Health Care Personnel" was created for an audience of nurse-trainees, physicians, and laypeople in British Columbia, Canada. Designed to assist these groups in understanding the nature, history, and treatment of the disease,…

School curricula reflect the sociocultural values held by society. As such, curricula may adopt: (1) a philosophically humanistic, individual-sensitive orientation, or (2) an economically-driven, social development orientation. This first orientation supports self-realization and prioritizes a broad-based and multidisciplinary school curriculum.…

The application of adult education principles to community development is only possible under certain conditions relating to power relationships, institutional structures, community dynamics, and the role of the community organizer. (JOW)

Case studies and seminar reports are provided that were presented at an international seminar to examine field experiences in using a culture-based approach to nonformal education. Part I, containing an introductory paper and nine case studies, focuses on indigenous institutions and processes in health, family planning, agriculture, basic…

The argument presented in this monograph stresses that, as concerns early childhood education, Jamaican parents must not only know and understand what is being done for and with their children but must also be active contributors to their educational development. It is further stressed that disadvantaged parents need special training and help if…

Intercropping involves growing two or more crops at the same time in the same field. Encouragement of this traditional African farming method would increase food supplies in Jamaica and reduce imports of food. The local expertise of small farmers in Third World countries can help solve many world problems. (CS)

Describes Enos Nuttall's contribution to educational thought and practice in Jamaica. His beliefs on education for all (but differentiated according to individual needs and capabilities) are discussed, as well as his influence on educational reform and curriculum development. (SK)

Massive emigration from Jamaica of professionals, technicians, managers and administrators, and skilled workers has resulted in a critical shortage of a well-educated work force. If present political and economic trends continue, this problem is likely to remain for some time to come. (ST)

Lessons learned by teaching a curriculum and implementation course at a Jamaican college include awareness that the rhythm of academic life, locus of curriculum decision-making power, autonomy, and needed knowledge and skill vary across settings. The influence of more industrialized countries on vocational education in lesser developed countries…

The crisis in Jamaican agriculture is due to environmental factors like climate conditions and to social and economic factors like the plantation system. Along with mining, tourism, and manufacturing, agriculture has a key role to play in the Jamaican economy. Suggests ways to improve productivity by aid to family farms. (CS)

Kingston, capital of Jamaica, has been molded by three institutions: colonialism, the sugar plantation, and slavery. It has an enormous marginal population living in permanent poverty and not absorbable into the labor force. This marginality, fundamentally related to dependent capitalism, sustains itself by keeping wages low. (CS)