Describes the historical relationship of education in South Africa to political and economic events; demonstrates how the current educational system is being manipulated to sustain apartheid; and emphasizes that education must be used to promote social change and create a more egalitarian social order. (Author/MJL)

Describes the legal and political forces that affected libraries accessible to black South Africans in the apartheid era. Discrepancies between white and black service areas are detailed in terms of usage and bookstock, and analysis is supported by statistics and by reports from librarians. Attention is also given to the impact of relevant…

Discusses the Nigerian nationalist demand for the development of university education between 1920 and 1948. Expounds on the role of particular nationalist individuals, movements, and organizations. Focuses on the National Congress of West Africa's role in the struggle. Examines the response of the British colonial government to the nationalists'…

Rejects sociobiological theories on female academic achievement and bases findings on social structure to explain why undergraduate women at Oxford University (England) achieve fewer first places and more second places in class honors. Bases theory on bipolarity of gender as an organizing principle of society. Claims that the double bind of social…

Traces the development since 1957 of Malaysian education policies aimed at providing equitable access to higher education. Suggests that these policies have increased representation of the Malay underclass in tertiary institutions and the professions, but have had little effect on intraethnic class inequalities. 46 references. (SV)

Reviews two collections of works on teacher education in various countries. The first, which examines inequality and racism in teacher education and attempts at multicultural reform, displays varied methods and quality and provides no comparative framework. The second presents eight case studies addressing common issues in teacher education reform…

This article considers the lack of discussion of equal opportunity in British literature on specific learning difficulties. It identifies five objectives for professional practice and research: formulate unbiased criteria for access to special education, develop guidance on unbiased assessment methods, carry out regular equal opportunities audits,…

Examines the status of current policies aimed at promoting gender equity for young children in the South and Southeast Asian Region. Details the main themes and concerns within these policies and outlines 10 elements for successful gender equity programs that would form the basis for developing a strong strategic approach to gender-equity in the…

Using Bourdieu's theory of cultural capital, which explains how social class influences transmission of educational inequality, this article questions the extent to which various forms of capital also apply to ethnic minorities. Discusses a study of Dutch, Surinamese, Turkish, and Moroccan students, which found that there was no mediating effect…

The Australian education system is denying equity and social justice to ethnic minorities and women. This paper examines the development of Australia's educational policy for those two groups. It argues that the educational disadvantages they have experienced have been enhanced by the marginalization of the issues. Policies such as multicultural…

A legal opinion about how the Canadian Charter affects education is developed from texts and existing cases under the charter and from foreign experience that may be parallel. Speculations on the probable limits of the courts as providers of remedies are balanced against the possible new opportunities for equality. (Author/JAZ)

A major task of South Africa's new government in 1994 was to promote racial equity in the state education system. This paper evaluates progress toward this goal using three distinct concepts: equal treatment, equal educational opportunity, and educational adequacy. The authors find that the country has succeeded in establishing racial equity…

Presents a sampling of documents from the ERIC database concerning studies and statistics on the status of women in Asia and developing nations. Includes items on women's education, writings, and employment. Concentrates on the women's own words and contributions to banish negative stereotypes. (DK)

Analyzes undergraduate admission data from the United Kingdom by sex, subject, and qualification level. Finds that admission into male dominated programs is made easier by a greater number of openings for students than female-dominated programs have. Concludes that female students are disadvantaged by the distribution of openings. (DK)

A case study of the efforts at Mount Pleasant School in Vancouver to create a more equitable educational experience for children of poverty, illustrates the potential of schooling to contribute positively to social justice. Successful conditions included: availability of funding, clarity of focus, facilitation of leadership, and openness to…