University students in developing societies find it difficult to learn in a nonindigenous language of instruction. The experiences of an American professor who participated in the English Language Difficulties Committee of an Arab medical college are described. Faculty factionalism, curriculum policy, and national aspirations toward…

Discussion of the appropriate use of instruction and training for performance problems in developing countries highlights a case study of an unsuccessful instructional project in South America. The importance of front-end analysis and a needs assessment are emphasized, and the sociotechnical systems theory (STS) of organizational development is…

Discusses the background and the current situation of computer information retrieval systems in China. Problem areas considered include: (1) lack of coordination of activities; (2) lack of data on user demand; and (3) shortages of personnel in computer science, mathematics, and systems engineering. An agenda for the future is outlined. (MES)

The Society for Promotion of Adult Resource Centres was created to alleviate the problem of railway settlement families and pavement dwellers in Bombay, India. The area resource center provides information, analysis of available resources, discussion of problems, and sharing of experiences. (JOW)

This special issue on employment policy in the global economy looks at macroeconomic policies and employment, institutional requirements for full employment, the world trade system, foreign investment, the marginalism of Africa, productivity enhancing policies, influence of information and communication technology, industrialized countries, and…

Reviews current criticisms of World Bank educational projects and their negative impacts on developing nations as context for a book that traces the evolution of Bank policies from its first projects in the 1960s to the present. (SV)

Compared the public opinion toward environmental issues of citizens in 24 nations covering a wide range of geographical and economic levels. Concluded that conventional wisdom claiming a difference in levels of environmental concern between citizens of rich and poor nations was not valid. (Contains 37 references.) (MDH)

Describes results of a survey of human and veterinary medical scientists in Borno State (Nigeria) that was conducted to determine their information-seeking behavior and to examine sources of information used. Problems in information gathering are discussed, including lack of relevant sources, and suggestions for improvements in information…

Argues that restructuring proposals for primary education in the latest "Education Sector Review" in Papua New Guinea are seriously misguided. Increasing access to primary education might better be achieved by increasing average class size than by overhauling the system. The present subject-based curriculum should be implemented…

Provides a framework to understand how information technology (IT) and culture interact, illustrated with examples from Kenyan case studies. The following ways of interference are identified: culture influences IT; culture is influenced by IT; and culture provides the conditions to interpret IT's utility. Aspects of Kenyan cultural context are…

U.S. program model designs used for children who are gifted were analyzed for their potential applications for rural schools of developing countries such as South Africa. Program trends and practices are identified from analysis of 100 descriptive and experimental studies of the last 10 years. A bibliography of the studies is included. (SW)

Offers four brief stories about teachers and teaching in Africa and the Caribbean. Points out that being interested in reading around the world and, in particular, in Third World countries has helped the author and many other people. (SR)

Identifies problems occurring in the Guangzhou (China) compulsory-education program (poor primary-education quality, administrator shortages, poorly trained teachers, insufficient education revenues, and high teacher turnover) and suggests solutions. Presents a situation analysis to determine how the education system works in practice. Promotes…

Examines the need for literacy training in countries without well-established educational programs, focusing on Africa. Argues that literacy programs as traditionally practiced cannot provide a base for lifelong education, but that functional and consciousness-raising programs can act as a first step in developing sound lifelong learning programs.…

Educators can encourage students to question popular misconceptions about population growth. Identifies and counters 16 population myths based on unverifiable or imaginary relationships. Discusses interventions that have been shown to rapidly bring about reductions in desired family size and actual fertility. (LZ)