One of the most frequently studied factors relating to the rise of educational inequalities is the selectivity of the education system. Selectivity often gives rise to inequalities in educational opportunities. The Czech Republic exhibits large inequalities in educational achievement and relatively steep socio-economic gradients in all…

In Serbia there are four levels of education: pre-school (until 7 years of age); primary education consisting of eight grades (ages 7-14); secondary education lasting two, three or four years; and higher education lasting from three to six years. Primary education is compulsory for all children. It consists of two cycles, each lasting four years,…

In Togo the education system suffers from structural inefficiency and a lack of motivation on the part of teachers. Owing to unsuitable teaching methods, overloaded curricula, the obsolete nature of the system and the ineffectiveness of training, Togo's school system has remained practically at a standstill despite the educational reform of 1975…

In this review the author explores whether school management councils (SMCs) reproduce prevailing norms of social participation or serve as a lever for change by challenging these norms and creating opportunities for subdominant groups to participate, thus enabling parents to take part in decision-making. The analysis highlights examples from…

Education policy in Niger is made up of all the tendencies and decisions, which over time have determined the development of Niger's education sector and its components. In this article, the author discusses the implementation stages of education policy, that is: (1) Adoption of the General Policy Act; and (2) Planning of the implementation of the…

Since 2001 the school system in Cote d'Ivoire has evolved with the advent of the second Republic and the rise to power of the Ivorian Popular Front (Front Populaire Ivoirien, FPI). The Government has introduced reforms in the education system making use of past experience and extending its benefits. Most of the innovations implemented as part of…

This article discusses educational inequalities within the territorial context of Spain, and more particularly in the autonomous community of Catalonia. The analysis, which takes a comparative international approach, looks at the question from two points of view. First, from the angle of students, an analysis is made of the impact produced by…

This essay discusses educational goals for universal basic and secondary education. It suggests some of the difficulties that may explain the great diversity of educational goals. The purposes of this essay are to (1) stimulate attention to educational goals on the part of individuals, families, educational professionals, community leaders in…

Following the collapse of the Soviet Union, Bulgaria, along with other Central and Eastern European countries, began a transition towards a democratic political system and market-oriented economy. Socio-economic and political changes associated with this transition have created a growing need for a new kind of citizenry, one equipped with flexible…

For the first time in Benin, the education sector has built its own vision. In the past, there were general policy laws, which provided a framework for education policy. The current building experience, arising in a particular context, is the result of a political decision to include in one document all the replies to the questions raised by the…

This article profiles Joseph Hanson Kwabena Nketia, an outstanding musicologist, music educator, composer, and linguist. His countrymen, Ghanaians, know him best as a composer, and associate his name with his song "Yaanom Montie" and his choral compositions for unaccompanied SATB choirs--"Monkamfo No", "Nkyirimma Nye Bi" and "Monna N'ase". In…

Mali, in choosing democratic education within a decentralised context, has made a clear choice as to the importance of the role that communities and territorial collectivities should play in the profound change and reform of the educational system. This reform will only happen if the communities, territorial collectivities, and all the actors…

This presidential address draws on the body of research on graduate education and the early career faculty experience to argue that the current preparation of aspiring faculty does not fully match the demands they are likely to face in the near future. Concludes with recommendations for improving the preparation of the next generation of faculty…

Asserts that this annual ranking of the nation's academic institutions exacerbates their competitiveness and influences them to alter their behavior in ways that misserve individual students and higher education as a whole. Suggests how the rankings could instead encourage helpful institutional collaborations. (EV)

Drew on extensive archives from 10 graduate employee unions' Web sites to examine their publicly presented identities (marginalized workers and future professionals), ideologies (traditional and professional unionism with little focus on social justice), and strategies (disruptive protest and professional politics locally). (EV)