Expanding numbers of researchers are focusing on the scale and impact of private supplementary tutoring. Such tutoring is widely called shadow education, since much of its curriculum mimics that of regular schooling. Although shadow education has expanded significantly worldwide and is now recognized to have far-reaching significance, research…

The literature on postcolonialism covers a diverse set of geographic areas, cultures, timeframes, and economic and political circumstances. Within the context of this literature, this article focuses on two territories which underwent colonial transition right at the end of the twentieth century, and moved not to sovereignty but to reintegration…

The Comparative and International Education Society (CIES) has, throughout its 50 years of existence, exercised leadership in the field of comparative education. It was one of the five societies that founded the World Council of Comparative Education Societies (WCCES) in 1970, an umbrella body that by 2006 brought together 35 national,…

In 2006, the Department for International Development (DfID) of the United Kingdom Government issued a White Paper entitled "Eliminating World Poverty: Making Governance Work for Poor People." The DfID document observed that good governance requires attention to State capability, described at "the extent to which leaders and governments are able…

Private supplementary tutoring has long been a major phenomenon in parts of East Asia, including Japan, Hong Kong, South Korea and Taiwan. In recent times it has grown dramatically in other parts of Asia and in Africa, Europe and North America. The factors underlying the growth of private tutoring vary, but in all settings it has major…

Compares changing patterns in educational finance in Russia and China, drawing on the literature concerning educational change in societies moving from socialism to market economies. Discusses economic and political contexts in the two countries, public and private educational expenditures, decentralization of financial responsibilities, increased…

The evolution of comparative education in Greater China (mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau) has been influenced by size, culture, political ideologies, standard of living, and colonialism. Similarities and differences in conceptions of comparative education are identified among the four components and between Greater China and other…

The fields of comparative and international education have overlapping identities and are commonly paired. The overlap and pairing has been evident in the history of "Compare" as well as elsewhere. However, the indistinct nature of the boundaries can cause conceptual difficulties. Taking a historical perspective not only on "Compare" and its…

Introduces a special issue on the educational implications of Hong Kong's change from a British colony to a special administrative region of China. Provides brief overviews of the broader literature on education and political transitions, of the multidisciplinary literature on the transition in Hong Kong, and of the themes in this journal issue.…

Identifies major differences and similarities between educational change during Hong Kong's political transition and during postcolonial transitions elsewhere. Notes that parallel operation of multiple education systems in one country is quite common, and that Hong Kong educational reforms began well ahead of political transition. Examines…

Reviews trends, issues, and problems of administrative decentralization and education in developing nations, with reference to Papua New Guinea. Concludes that decentralization should not be seen as a panacea; policy-makers must sharpen understanding of types and levels of decentralization; success requires attention to training and implementation…

Reviews the literature on the multiple-shift school day in various countries. Notes the paucity of research available. Examines financial savings, academic achievement, instructional time, extracurricular activities, and discipline problems. Concludes that multiple shifts can lower costs without greatly reducing educational quality. Contains 27…

Outlines colonial histories and present constitutional statuses of 16 South Pacific Island countries. Discusses important legacies of colonialism in education systems, curriculum, and educational attitudes; education as an instrument of neocolonialist influence; and the complexities of international relationships (both regionally and with donor…

Describes nine categories of criteria used in developing nations to determine high school admission, the most common being competitive examinations and regional or school-level quotas. Discusses attempts to balance academic qualifications and equity concerns in Papua New Guinea and other countries, and dilemmas related to examination biases,…

Compares the educational systems of Hong Kong and Macau, focusing on differences related to their colonial histories and the different sizes of their populations and economies, and similarities arising from mutual influence and their impending reunification with China. Discusses educational access, finance, curriculum, language of instruction, and…