Distinguishes between the different 'themes' of educational reform in developing countries over the past 30 years: (1) planning/management and efficiency reforms; (2) quality reforms; and (3) curricular reforms. Discusses planning/management and efficiency reforms and quality reforms in detail. Provides references. (CMK)

Experiences of different countries in establishing mechanisms to coordinate development of higher education systems, diversify institutional financing, and increase efficiency of public investments are examined. Attention is drawn to the need for effective policy structures to manage higher education, link reform costs to benefits, acknowledge…

Outlines the evolution of environmental education in Russia, based on authors' experiences in transforming curricula in the Republic of Bashkortostan. Summarizes changes adopted in the secondary school and in three regional universities. Evaluates specific problems of introducing environmental education at the pedagogical and engineering oriented…

Development of the education system in Malaysia is tied to the National Development Policy. Malaysia will address issues related to equity, access, and democratization of education, education quality, efficiency, and values education as the country responds to the demands of being part of the global village while ensuring domestic growth and…

In Papua New Guinea, the early childhood care and education of young children is largely a parental and community responsibility. Like many other village-based societies, including those found throughout Africa, Asia and the South Pacific, more than 80% of Papua New Guinean children grow up in subsistence farming and fishing tribal villages. In…

Emiliana Vegas surveys strategies used by the world's developing countries to fill their classrooms with qualified teachers. With their low quality of education and wide gaps in student outcomes, schools in developing countries strongly resemble hard-to-staff urban U.S. schools. Their experience with reform may thus provide insights for U.S.…

Persons with disabilities, especially children and the young continue to be the most disadvantaged groups in all societies (Hegarty & Alur, 2002). They manifest a number of limitations and are subjected to social discrimination, impoverished educational experiences and above all, very limited work opportunities. In developing countries, where…

This paper discusses major changes in the coverage, structure, and conception of what constitutes basic education. Many of these changes have been brought about by a growing international focus on basic education. This evidences a gradual but fundamental change in the manner in which education is perceived in relationship to economic development.…

This study explores education and training systems of the Caribbean nations that are members both of The World Bank and the Caribbean Group for Cooperation in Economic Development (CGCED). The study does not attempt to provide a detailed blueprint for each country or set of institutions or present new research findings. Overall, the emphasis is to…

Outcomes of the Junior Secondary Education Improvement Project (JSEIP), implemented in Botswana during 1985-91, are presented in this final report. The project's purpose was to help the Botswana government expand its 7-year basic education program (primary) to 9 years (primary and junior secondary). The first and second sections provide the…

Four papers were presented at a conference of 16 donor agencies involved in funding educational development and research. The conference focused on world investment in education, constraints on educational funding, and experiences with educational innovations aimed at improving cost effectiveness. Following an introductory overview of the…

This document summarizes the proceedings of the first meeting of the Asia-Pacific Programme of Education for All (APPEAL). The report is organized in five parts that cover the following: (1) background, objectives, participants, summaries of opening speeches, and working methods of the conference; (2) review of the progress in the implementation…

Educational testing and measurement on an international basis is viewed from the new quantitative perspective provided by the Comprehensive Achievement Monitoring (CAM) method. The technique of longitudinal testing through item sampling employed in CAM is seen as being of significant value in formulating a systematic measure of achievement across…

The main objectives of this report are to analyze the Nepalese experience in educational finance between 1965-66 and 1969-70 while a major educational reform was being implemented; to assess the general effects of the decentralization of educational finance on the levels and sources of finance; to assess the effects of this decentralization on…

After presenting background on the British colonial period, 1786-1957, the author examines recent Malaysian educational policy for national integration of this multicultural society, through provision of equal opportunities for all ethnic groups and the use of Malay as the official language. Successes and problems are noted. (SJL)