Since 1989, international aid agencies have shown a marked interest in and preference for learner-centered pedagogy. This change follows a shift in agency ideology from modernization theory to neoliberalism, which sees democratic social relations as a prerequisite to free-market capitalism. Thus, the pedagogy represents a process of Westernization…

Policymakers often use Rate of Return information in formulating public resource allocation decisions. The World Bank uses this strategy to advise developing nations in setting student subsidy levels, tuition, and allocation by educational level. However, Rate of Return may be an inappropriate policy device for these objectives. (Author/MSE)

Discusses participants' roles in the policy formulation, planning, design, and construction of the new library at Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (Nigeria). The importance of input from librarians is emphasized; the library's objectives and their influence on the new library are explained; and planning for the move to the new building is…

Identifies and analyzes the organizational constraints acting upon and within the Egyptian Ministry of Education that deter its capacity for administrative reform. Despite being highly bureaucratic, the ministry's administrative structure operates with relative efficiency. However, the ministry cannot seem to change the educational system's…

Interviewed 136 female heads of households in rural Sri Lanka. Found that marital status figured more importantly than age in use of health services. Concludes that, as unmarried heads of households increase in less developed places, their demands for health care at the village level likely will escalate. (Author/NB)

Challenges the prevailing view that educational effectiveness in Third World countries is related to school-based factors rather than student background variables. Uses a study of academic achievement in 32 Zimbabwean schools to illustrate the use of a multilevel regression model for school effectiveness research. Contains 42 references. (SV)

Descriptions of minicourses offered to librarians in Papua New Guinea include course content and objectives, the frequency of course offerings, and participation in minicourses. Participant and teacher evaluations of the minicourses and their implications for future course offerings are discussed. (seven references) (CLB)

A total of 267 Nigerian mothers with children under the age of five years were investigated regarding the degree of their awareness and acceptance of oral rehydration therapy in the treatment of childhood diarrhea. Results indicate that only 39 percent of the mothers had heard of ORT in treating diarrhea. (RJC)

Discusses how the issues of African hunger may be taught. Notes that this topic crosses disciplinary boundaries and provides background information relative to the hunger situation in Africa. Describes the perspectives on African hunger as being externalist, internalist, or environmental. Suggests strategies for teaching about African hunger. (KO)

Suggests alternative ways to advance knowledge about the reasons why people in the Caribbean are under-nourished. Argues for replacing quantitative surveys that focus on using the methodology of one discipline with L. Joy's (1979) "repeated scenarios" crossing disciplinary boundaries around which theorizing can begin. (GG)

Seven articles discuss topics related to information activities supported by Canada's International Development Research Centre (IDRC): (1) background on the Information Science Division; (2) advances in information technology; (3) the role of information specialists; (4) information networking in Latin America; (5) reaching information users; (6)…

Compares U.S., Latin American, and Caribbean editors, examining their evaluations of world press problems to understand their underlying news values and perceptions of the role of the press in society. Finds that U.S. and Latin American editors see press freedom as an important world problem but differ on developmental journalism. (MM)

Applies international labor standards to results of the International Labour Office's special public works programs to discover whether program intentions have been met. Finds that while productive employment has been pursued, popular participation is not occurring and such issues as (1) forced labor, (2) child employment, and (3) inequality of…

Explains how international development projects shaped and often distorted organizational aspects of the Liberian education system from 1972 to 1985. Examines the fragmenting effects of policy conflicts among and within development agencies, of the typical structure of educational development projects, and of competition for funds. Contains 42…

Identifies the main educational issues in Africa today as stagnation of enrollments and erosion of quality. Outlines policy strategies involving adjustment to demographic and fiscal realities, revitalization of the educational infrastructure, and selective expansion of services. Discusses the role of the international donor community. (SV)