When the educational system in Ontario, Canada, moved toward a child-centered philosophy, the onus for failure was placed on the child and his or her home environment. This philosophy penalized children from working-class and non-English-speaking homes. Arguments in the nature-nurture controversy are reviewed. (PP)

Some instructive experience about the potential and limits of a meaningful role for African universities in the 1980s is discussed. The challenge of the 1980s is to convince African governments and national populations that university contributions to national development lie in the ability to train minds and a thinking society. (Author/MLW)

This study investigates Taiwanese parents' opinions on sex education for young children. Participants in the study included 97 randomly selected Taiwanese parents of 3 through 5-year old children at three different preschools in northern Taiwan. Results indicate that subjects' age and education influenced parental views toward sexual issues:…

The two parts of this report on primary education in Switzerland (comprising the first through 9th school years) provide an overview of the organization of schooling and a description of educational trends and reforms. Part I describes official objectives of primary education; units responsible at national, regional, local, and school levels;…

Discusses education's role in countering effects of poverty. Reviews successful and unsuccessful compensatory education programs in Great Britain. Emphasizes importance of educational research contributions and faults economic and political biases for reductions in programs serving disadvantaged children. Describes successful compensatory programs…

This Council of Europe report on the problem of violence opens with two recommendations: (1) on cultural and educational means of reducing violence; and (2) on a European Award for Non-Violence. An explanatory memorandum provides a general introduction, and explains the report's focus on terrorism, violence in the media, violence and sport, and…

Starting from Newman's concept of the university as a place of liberal education, this book examines how today's university functions, what its aims should be and what its strengths and deficiencies are, and presents some proposals for reform. It is argued that liberal education remains the core of university studies, although it is advocated that…

Adult education programs are shown to be complementary to the proposed Universal Primary Education program in Nigeria by encouraging the development of personal abilities and social, moral, and intellectual responsibility in relation to local, national and world citizenship. Specific suggestions for general, vocational, and practical education are…

Maintains that universities have a responsibility to engender "..some sense of minimum universal values" in their students and to influence the adoption and promotion of these values in their lives. Considers ways that a university can accomplish this goal through a code of ethics, innovative management, and the impact of senior teams.…

Ratification by Australia of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of the Child in 1990 acted as a potent stimulus for a series of debates and controversies concerning the place of children in Australian society. The debate has largely taken place in relatively specialized forums involving lawyers, members of the judiciary, social…

The further education of adults in Germany has its roots in the 19th century. In a unified Germany, further education and training enjoy a key position in the establishment of free market economy structures. Further education enjoys equal status with all other educational sectors. It is distinguished by the plurality of organizing bodies and…

Educators from Holland and member countries of the Council of Europe attended a symposium on innovation in primary education in the Netherlands. Much of the discussion was based on the evaluation report, "Lessons from Practice: the Primary Education Act Reviewed." Participants evaluated initial, partial research results, and compared…

Reporting on a study of Cree Indian students from Manitoba, this paper focuses on Native education as a minority experience within the majority culture and on the culture of the school as it is experienced by minority students. A theoretical discussion presents issues involved with schooling for minorities: discontinuities, socialization for…

This paper was prepared for the Ministerial Council on Education, Employment and Training Taskforce on Teacher Quality & Educational Leadership. It covers the following broad areas: (1) How can a national definition of "Good Teaching" be developed, and what should it include?; (2) What should a "National Standards…

The part the university plays in the building of a nation in the post-independence period is described and illustrated by means of a detailed study of Malaysia. The impact of economic, socio-cultural, and political factors are analyzed and the objectives of higher education in contemporary Malaysia are articulated. (Author/MLW)