While technical and vocational education and training (TVET) is re-emerging on the agenda of many development agencies and governments of developing countries alike, there remains a serious lack of theoretically grounded literature on how skills formation systems in developing countries change over time, and how these transformations are…

The British colonial policy of education in the Southern Cameroons was guided by the philosophy of adapting education to the mentality, aptitude and occupations of the local population. This policy was gradually abandoned in the 1950s when it was realized that it was serving the colonial exploitative agenda of keeping natives to a permanently…

The current dominant account of aid to education focuses on schooling and official development assistance and talks in terms of policy work, donor harmonisation and, increasingly, budgetary support. However, this approach is limited in a number of ways. The return of international policy interest in vocational education provides an opportunity to…

This article describes the development of education in Nepal from its beginnings in indigenous education associated with Hindu and Buddhist religions to the present democratic period, which began in 1971 and entails a reform in curriculum and school organization. (JH)

This history of Jamaican vocational education reviews informal education (1494-1834), legislation and social policy (1673-1835), and conflicts about education's role (1835-55). It concludes that vocational education suffered from lack of coherent policy and funding and was politically subverted to maintain the status quo. (SK)

The explosive economic growth and rising prosperity of Taiwan is linked to the country's system of vocational education. Paralleling Taiwan's rapid economic transformation has been the growth of its national educational system. Both the government and the private sector have been making concerted efforts to develop education, resulting in constant…

Briefly reviews the educational history of the People's Republic of China, discusses four specific avenues of structural reform in secondary education--joint business/government ventures, independent vocational schools, modified liberal arts schools, and regional coordinating centers--and points out parallel needs in US secondary education. (MBR)

Reform of education, training, and human resource development is an integral part of the transition to a democratic society and market economy. Estonia has made progress in all these areas since reform began in 1990. The challenge for the Ministry of Education has been to promote and support changes that meet the needs of the new economy and…

Although it has been accepted that the work force contributes to a country's development, the issue today is what kind of work force would accelerate economic development and growth. Previously, it was assumed that the provision of "high-level manpower" and "middle-level vocational education" should be given priority to serve a country's…

The development of four core aspects of education in Jamaica are traced and comparison is made with development in Guyana, British Guiana, and Ghana. Teacher training, skill training, the foundations, and later development of secondary education and the management of education are examined. The articles in this collection discuss the impact of…

Reviews historical context and recent research on vocational education in 15 Commonwealth Caribbean countries and the United States. Identifies supportive American vocational legislation. Derives synthesis based on juxtaposition of vocational education in both regions and draws inferences regarding the larger question of vocationalization. (NEC)

Reform of education, training, and human resource development is an integral part of the transition to a democratic society and market economy. Latvia has made progress in all these areas since reform began in 1990. The challenge for the Ministry of Education and Science has been to promote and support changes that meet the needs of the new…

Belize (formerly British Honduras) has achieved a good deal of success with its Rural Education and Agriculture Programme (REAP). REAP was initiated in 1976 to create the attitudes and provide the skills necessary for rural youth to make meaningful contributions to the country's agricultural development. Initiated by an intraministerial and…

Efforts made in Sri Lanka to restructure university courses to match the country's employment needs are chronicled, including data on employment level of college graduates in a variety of disciplines. The role of government employment is noted. (MSE)

Since India gained its independence in 1947, three important commissions have examined the issue of educational reform. The first (in 1948) recommended a vocational emphasis in the intermediate (predegree) courses without sacrificing emphasis on preparation for university education. In 1954, the Secondary Education Commission resulted in the…