Education researchers working in sub-Saharan Africa have recently and rapidly expanded the availability of evidence related to the impact of educational interventions on learning outcomes, particularly in preprimary and lower primary education (Ganimian & Murnane, 2016; McEwan, 2015; Popova, Evans, & Arancibia, 2016). Awareness that…

This commentary discusses three articles (Jukes et al., 2017, McCoy et al., 2017, and Aber et al., 2017), which respectively focus on Kenya, Zambia, and the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC). They all cite poor educational outcomes as a key motivation for developing and implementing new programs, and all three articles provide helpful evidence…

Over the past decade, international and national education agencies have begun to emphasize the improvement of the quality (rather than quantity) of education in developing countries. This trend has been paralleled by a significant increase in the use of educational assessments as a way to measure gains and losses in quality of learning. As…

This rejoinder is in response to criticism against the African Virtual University (AVU), an internet-based education modality, by Amutabi and Oketch [2003. Experimenting in distance education: the African Virtual University (AVU) and the Paradox of World Bank in Kenya. International Journal of Educational Development 23, 57-73]. By closely…

Reviews the historical background and present state of publishing in Kenya, including the role of indigenous and foreign firms. Problems identified include language and literacy problems; lack of the reading habit, support for authors, finances, and publishing expertise; high production costs; and inadequate publicity. (Author/MES)

This issue of Reports Magazine focuses on the challenges that women face and their efforts to continue the struggle for a wider recognition in development and all other spheres of life. "Feminist Issues in Development" (Peggy Antrobus) discusses how feminist analyses offer critiques of conventional approaches to development that…

The author defines African culture in a Kenyan context and proposes a tri-polar cultural paradigm to chart the metamorphosis of Kenyan culture from a traditional through a national to an international focus. He makes suggestions for the role of the school in promoting an international cultural standard. (Author/SJL)

The first two articles discuss the Nongovernmental Organization Forum on women's issues, held in Nairobi, Kenya; the third reviews "The Invisible Decade--U.K. Women and the U.N. Decade 1976-1985"; and the fourth identifies the oppressed status of Nepalese women. (CT)

Reviews problems associated with implementing the School Science Project (SSP) in Kenya, and the subsequent downfall of the project in the late 1970s. Concludes that the SSP experience raises fundamental questions about secondary science education in Kenya and the rest of the developing world. (BSR)

Examination of the state's role in the creation of scientific information in African countries discusses economic and political arguments for state intervention and two methods of intervention--regulation and resource allocation. It is concluded that African states suffer from deficits in resources, expertise, and authority. Efforts to implement a…

To establish a definition of costs in education, a "concept map" is established to which inevitable questions of inclusion and exclusion can be addressed. A specific case, namely the costs of practical/vocational subjects, is then presented. It also includes a profile of benefits, since with regard to vocational education, much more than…

Contends that the Kenyan government needs to reexamine its high priority on formal education, since many educated Kenyans cannot find work. Suggests broadening of the curriculum to include vocational training and working toward economic development to solve Kenya's unemployment problems. (Author/CH)

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)

Discussion of special libraries focuses on the library of the Kenya National Museum. Topics discussed include services offered by special libraries; the role of special librarians; acquisition of materials; organization of materials; interlibrary loans; current awareness service; and the role of the parent organization. (11 references) (LRW)

Intended for use by those interested in promoting books and reading in the world, this report describes the state of books and reading in Kenya. Following a brief description of Kenya, major sections of the report deal with authorship, publishing, physical production, distribution, reading habits, professional training, and legal and institutional…