School Effectiveness in Developing Countries - A Summary of the Research Evidence

School effectiveness in developing countries - A summary of the research evidence -
Education Research Paper

No. 01, 1993, 25 p.

[Previous Page] [Table of Contents] [Next Page]

Section 3: Curriculum and
assessment

3.1 Curriculum content and economic growth

3.2 Vocational education

3.3 Examination reform

3.1 Curriculum content and economic
growth

A very interesting study by Benavot (1992) seeks to determine whether, and to what
extent, national variations in curricular content and structure significantly affect
economic development. The research was based on the formally prescribed primary
curriculum in over 60 nations, including 43 less-developed countries. According to
Benavot,

Cross-national studies show that mass educational expansion has a
significant positive effect on economic growth, mainly at the primary
level, but also at the secondary level. Qualitative features of national
school systems such as the provision of textbooks, per-pupil expenditure,
and the extent of teacher training also have modest economic effects,
especially in the developing world. (p 1 50)

The question is whether variations in national curricular policies, independent of student
achievement levels, have significant, aggregate-level impacts on macroeconomic
change.

Despite shaky empirical support, it is received wisdom that national
variations in the composition of official and implemented curricula, by
their influence on student achievement levels, have important long-term
effects on the quality and productivity of the labour force and,
consequently, on a nation's competitive position in the world economy.

<<   25   26   27   28   29   30   31   >>

More intriguing information