This article discusses the 'Indianisation', 'nationalisation', and 'ruralisation' of the Montessori method in India at the eve, and in the aftermath of the country's political independence (1947). From 1914 onwards, Indian nationalists received Montessori's ideas through publications, the networks of the new education movement, and the…

To what degree are nations "rewriting" citizenship by expanding discussions of human rights, diversity and cultural pluralism in modern civic education, and what explains variation between countries? This study addresses these issues by analysing the intended content of civic education in Costa Rica and Argentina. Over time, civic…

The value of historical descriptive analysis in comparative education is highlighted by the method's application to schooling in Burma, demonstrating how control over schooling relates to state legitimacy. Supervision of Burmese education by Theravada Buddhist monasteries--Sangha--was undermined by 19th-century British colonial administration. The…

In light of recent evidence from Africa, Central America, and Asia, examines why rural parents in developing nations do or do not send children to primary school when compulsory education cannot be enforced. Considers economic aims, literary values, testing, and negative school attitudes in small areas of five countries. (SB)

During the early colonial period in Cyprus, British officials ignored Cyprus's distinctive characteristics (widespread Christianity and "European" character) and pursued the universal British colonial policy of education "adapted to the (perceived inferior) capabilities and conditions of clients." By 1930, however, political…

In rural Burkina Faso, donor agencies and the national government have initiated a five-year reform program aimed at decentralizing educational administration and augmenting local participation in school management. Reforms are founded on misplaced assumptions about public ownership of formal education, efficacy of short-term training, and shared…

Evaluating Chinese publications about rural education and needed reforms presents several problems: political limits on educational debate; paucity of statistical data and reference citations; and complex ideological statements. Examination of nine journal and newspaper articles reveals that they cautiously endorse rural education reforms within…

Explores the manner in which ideology and hidden assumptions, educational policy perspectives, and reform proposals are interrelated in current education reform discussions in Papua New Guinea. Discusses reforms aimed at improving access and retention in primary schools and at restructuring secondary education, and contradictory principles related…

Examines the persistence of academic exam-oriented curricula and teaching styles of colonial origin in Lesotho and Zimbabwe despite differences in colonial history and current ideological and economic systems. Discusses the lack of reform policy implementation, ruling class interests, popular pressures and conservative educational attitudes, and…

Examines Vietnamese educational reforms of the 1990s, aimed at modernizing education to support Vietnam's wide-ranging market reforms. Discusses the structure of preschool through higher education; the cluttered lower secondary school curriculum, rigidly tied to textbook content and teacher training; rural disadvantage and lesser access to…

Studies education's relationship to migration by examining migratory patterns and educational characteristics of those who had moved and chosen not to move in three mestizo and two Indian communities. Shows that much variance in migration that appears to be explained by educational experiences is a product of preexistent background variables. (JHZ)

Reviews past accomplishments and remaining tasks in Indian education with particular emphasis on the production of technical and professional personnel to match the nation's labor needs and the spread of education to three previously disadvantaged groups: rural populations, women, and the scheduled castes and tribes. (SJL)

Interviews with parent, students, and teachers in rural Swaziland found that, as in colonial times, parents felt alienated from the school as an institution. Although national policymakers were pushing for stronger technical education, parents strongly desired academic education to prepare their children for professional employment and felt that…

In response to overseas economic competition and changing technologies, Australia's national vocational education and training system was recently restructured, with emphases on competency-based training and industry participation. This national training system has had little relevance for geographically remote Aboriginal communities. Issues of…

Describes Chinese government measures taken to popularize education (1949-1977), including literacy campaigns, new types of popular rural schools, the "Youth to the Countryside" program, and aims and practices of the Cultural Revolution. (MH)