Literacy is embedded in social practice and has social meanings. Research and practice in adult literacy are demonstrating that, in order to bring about cultural and social transformation, literacy must be seen as an activity embedded in social and cultural practice. The traditional paradigm, which considers literacy as input for development and…

Vocational schools in Slovenia offer 3-year programs in which students aged 14-17 are trained for different professions such as bakers, car mechanics, tailors, etc. Most of the students attending vocational schools were poor academic achievers in elementary school and have little interest in reading. Educators in Slovenia believe that encounters…

Taiwan is facing these three challenges: cultivating a world-class work force, preventing shortages of industry-related workers, and increasing industrial competitiveness. To meet them, technological and vocational education (TVE) needs to integrate the curricula among the technical arts programs in junior high schools, senior vocational high…

As part of a farmers' functional literacy project, the Department of Adult and Continuing Education, Andhra University, Waltair (India), investigated a sampling of participant characteristics and their relation to progress in improving literacy skills and learning such aspects of agriculture as animal husbandry, poultry, dairying, and so on. (MF)

Presents a story about an extension worker with the Ghana Ministry of Agriculture and discusses a short course in extension developed for the Ministry by the University of Ghana Agricultural Extension Department. Training focus was on active field practice to demonstrate class subjects and techniques. (MF)

In Africa the increasing cost and questionable relevance of much overseas training, combined with the growth of home country facilities, have raised questions about the extent to which scholarship provisions have adapted to changing circumstances. The need for more systematic information on scholarship provision, training needs, and job…

The effectiveness of agricultural/vocational New Secondary Schools as an instrument for change in the Pacific Solomon Islands is examined. (f=fiche numbers). (CP)

The impact of rural emigration on the farming communities of Nigeria is demonstrated by the rising age structure and increasing illiteracy among farm villages. It is suggested that the Universal Primary Education program should be expanded to include courses geared toward the life of rural people and their social and economic environment. (JMF)

In discussing Rafe-uz-Zaman's essay on adult literacy and national development (see v9, n1 of this journal), the author cites examples to support his thesis that mass literacy campaigns in predominately agricultural countries can be successful only if there is simultaneous undertaking of economic development programs focused on the rural poor. (MF)

Describes the formation of local organizations for adult and literacy education created all over Portugal after the end of the fascist regime in 1974, the coordination and certification plan of the Ministry of Education's Division of Continuing Education, and the ensuing legal status of the local "popular" educational associations. (MF)

Summarizes the global efforts of the United Nations Development Program (UNDP) to ease poverty and help developing nations to build their capacity for sustainable development. Includes a glossary of poverty and human development terms, a human poverty index ranking for developing countries, and suggested teaching activities. (MJP)

Worldwide data reveal that child mortality (ages 1-5) accounts for about 10-15% of all deaths in developing countries, and less than 1% of all deaths in developed countries. Strategies for reducing child mortality include improving health services, improving environmental conditions, enhancing the social conditions of children, and protecting and…

The community-based rehabilitation model has successfully trained community members in rural areas of Asia, Africa, and Latin America to deliver educational and rehabilitation services to disabled individuals and their families. Practices applicable to improving educational and rehabilitation services in the United States involve staff…

Considers how information technology (IT) can help socioeconomic growth of developing countries based on experiences in Bangladesh. Topics include Bangladesh's development plans; future economic growth trends triggered by IT; emerging technologies; intellectual and societal development; industrial revolutions; telematics; regional and world…

This discussion of the importance of library-administered readership promotion campaigns in the traditionally oral societies of Nigeria discusses influential familial, social, cultural, and economic factors that need to be considered in establishing reading programs for rural communities. The role of state library boards, staffing and financial…