In a fast-changing and highly inequitable world, lifelong learning is becoming increasingly important, not only as a key organising principle for all forms of education and learning but also as an absolute necessity for everyone. It is particularly important for disadvantaged individuals and groups who have been excluded from or failed to acquire…

In this article, the late Jarl Bengtsson briefly traces the evolution of the concept of lifelong learning within the member states of the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). He points out that on the one hand lifelong learning is accepted, in policy terms, by all OECD countries and many other countries, but on the other…

The focus of this paper is on the research/policy linkage, within the complex educational administrative structure and pluralistic informal power structure which characterize Thai research. Thailand has experienced some success in building analytical educational research capacity and ensuring its utilization. Lessons to be learned from this…

In 1971, the specialized schools serving 16-to-19-year-olds were consolidated into integrated upper secondary schools. This report describes the rationale and course structure of the new type of school and its impact on vocational education. Conclusions about comprehensive vs specialized schools are drawn. (SJL)

The author summarizes some of the spoken language policies of the People's Republic of China and the Republic of China of Taiwan, including some statistics on dialect speakers in the population, methods for promoting Mandarin in the schools, and attitudes toward the maintenance of minority languages. (SJL)

The Nigerian Government is attempting to create a national identity and eliminate inefficient indigenous educational practices. The author argues that quick implementation of this plan to regulate indigenous private education and craft apprenticeships could aggravate the employment situation and restrict the ability of localities to meet their own…

Australian education was strictly monolingual until 1970 when the implementation of the Commonwealth Child Migrant Education Program provided special English instruction for immigrant students. Immigrants' languages are now offered as school subjects, but the growing awareness of multiculturalism has not affected English as the language of school…

After considering the linguistic, social, pedagogical and administrative rationale for using Spanish or native languages, particularly Quechua, as the educational medium, the author proposes a national system of bilingual schooling to be conducted in Spanish above the primary levels, but with continued native language course offerings. (SJL)

The author describes how, since the youth disruptions of the "Gang of Four" era, the Chinese Communist Central Committee has more closely monitored moral behavior, promulgating a code of conduct for elementary and secondary students. The objectives of Chinese ideological and moral education and selected instructional procedures are…

Since independence in 1947, India's educational goals have included expansion, improved quality, and equal opportunity. The author analyzes India's successes and failures in reaching these goals in the context of its limited economic resources, the traditional educational values of its people, and its traditionally stratified social system. (SJL)