Keith Watson – författare

This study, by more than 130 contributors, assesses the moves to decentralize educational administration. The text contains overviews by individual authors, and joint papers forming dialogues between different academic contenders. It provides a survey of educational policies and planning, and an analysis of the changes in England and Wales. Curriculum control, privatization and leadership issues are also debated. This book is one of four volumes which consider the educational dilemmas facing governments, professional educators and practising administrators in the current educational climate. The issues are addressed from international and comparative perspectives.

From the foreword: This book is a major contribution to the field of comparative and international education. It has been co-authored by two distinguished figures, who write with authority and clarity, and who present conceptual insights which add creative and intellectual vitality to the field at a time of major change and development.Changing geopolitical relations, the acceleration of globalisation and major advances in information and communication technology have all transformed and revitalised international and comparative research in education. This multidisciplinary book critically examines the implications of this change for those engaged in such work worldwide. Groundbreaking and insightful, it draws on the latest research and developments in the field to give a comprehensive overview and analysis of the contemporary condition of this valuable form of research.Drawing upon the authors' extensive international experience, the text:* Re-assesses the diverse and multidisciplinary origins of this field of study:* Documents the increased orientation towards research;* Explores the changing nature of the problems and issues faced by both new and experienced researchers;* Puts forward a coherent and well-informed case for a thorough reconceptualisation of the field as a whole.The book argues eloquently for increased cultural and contextual sensitivity in educational research and development in order that the field might make a more effective contribution to educational theory, policy and practice. This multidisciplinary work will be welcomed by a wide range of theorists and researchers in education and the social sciences, as well as teachers, policymakers and anyone concerned with improving dialogue and understanding across cultures and nations.

From the foreword: This book is a major contribution to the field of comparative and international education. It has been co-authored by two distinguished figures, who write with authority and clarity, and who present conceptual insights which add creative and intellectual vitality to the field at a time of major change and development.Changing geopolitical relations, the acceleration of globalisation and major advances in information and communication technology have all transformed and revitalised international and comparative research in education. This multidisciplinary book critically examines the implications of this change for those engaged in such work worldwide. Groundbreaking and insightful, it draws on the latest research and developments in the field to give a comprehensive overview and analysis of the contemporary condition of this valuable form of research.Drawing upon the authors' extensive international experience, the text:* Re-assesses the diverse and multidisciplinary origins of this field of study:* Documents the increased orientation towards research;* Explores the changing nature of the problems and issues faced by both new and experienced researchers;* Puts forward a coherent and well-informed case for a thorough reconceptualisation of the field as a whole.The book argues eloquently for increased cultural and contextual sensitivity in educational research and development in order that the field might make a more effective contribution to educational theory, policy and practice. This multidisciplinary work will be welcomed by a wide range of theorists and researchers in education and the social sciences, as well as teachers, policymakers and anyone concerned with improving dialogue and understanding across cultures and nations.

This reissue examines the crucial question of how the education systems of Third World countries continue to be influenced by the former colonial powers, arguing that decisions and views made early in the twentieth century cannot always be so readily condemned from the standpoint of the 1980s. The study begins by placing the problem in its historical context and goes on to examine different regions of the Third World influenced by colonialism. It concludes with a contemporary global overview of current colonial dependency and provides a detailed and comprehensive bibliography on different facets of education and colonialism.

This volume provides an international perspective on educational dependency in considering both theories and actual developments throughout the world. Some less developed countries, in expanding their education systems, have emulated Western academic-style systems and have increased their dependence on Western models in various respects including examination validation. Others have deliberately avoided this path and have experimented with systems more ‘relevant’ to development, often in a radical way. At a theoretical level, Marxist and neo-Marxist development theorists argue that education systems dependent on the West are evidence of economic dependency and confirmation of Marxist development theories; while others argue that the evidence suggests an interdependent world and that dependency theories do not apply in education.

In most countries, whether secular or otherwise, education and religion are closely interlinked and no matter how hard the state tries, it can be very difficult to remove the ties between them. This book investigates the links between education, religion and politics.The dominant feature in creating a common culture between peoples, each of which has its own distinct heritage and practices, is religion. Globalisation is leading to a redefinition of the state, community and local identity, this latter often perceived as resistance against the forces of unity, whether through culture, economic activity or language. Recent world events have focused attention on the interplay between education, religion and politics like never before. Even more pertinent is the fact that the involvement of politics in decisions about religion and education is often central and impossible to disentangle.Education and Religion covers all the major religious traditions – Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh – and cites global examples throughout the world. It aims to understand the underlying complexities in the struggle to reconcile education, religion and politics in an informative and sensitive way.This book was originally published as a special issue of Comparative Education.

This volume provides an international perspective on educational dependency in considering both theories and actual developments throughout the world. Some less developed countries, in expanding their education systems, have emulated Western academic-style systems and have increased their dependence on Western models in various respects including examination validation. Others have deliberately avoided this path and have experimented with systems more ‘relevant’ to development, often in a radical way. At a theoretical level, Marxist and neo-Marxist development theorists argue that education systems dependent on the West are evidence of economic dependency and confirmation of Marxist development theories; while others argue that the evidence suggests an interdependent world and that dependency theories do not apply in education.

This reissue examines the crucial question of how the education systems of Third World countries continue to be influenced by the former colonial powers, arguing that decisions and views made early in the twentieth century cannot always be so readily condemned from the standpoint of the 1980s. The study begins by placing the problem in its historical context and goes on to examine different regions of the Third World influenced by colonialism. It concludes with a contemporary global overview of current colonial dependency and provides a detailed and comprehensive bibliography on different facets of education and colonialism.

First published in 1983, Youth, Education and Employment tries to highlight the scale of the problem of youth unemployment in industrial societies by examining it from a variety of angles, and by drawing upon developments in other countries including those of the developing world. Examples are taken from France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden as well as from the United Kingdom, and also from Cuba and small island communities. This important volume shows the underlying causes of youth unemployment and offers positive solutions in particular stressing the need for a reappraisal of many educational practices. This book is a must read for educationists, policy makers and students of public policy.

First published in 1983, Youth, Education and Employment tries to highlight the scale of the problem of youth unemployment in industrial societies by examining it from a variety of angles, and by drawing upon developments in other countries including those of the developing world. Examples are taken from France, Germany, Denmark and Sweden as well as from the United Kingdom, and also from Cuba and small island communities. This important volume shows the underlying causes of youth unemployment and offers positive solutions in particular stressing the need for a reappraisal of many educational practices. This book is a must read for educationists, policy makers and students of public policy.

In most countries, whether secular or otherwise, education and religion are closely interlinked and no matter how hard the state tries, it can be very difficult to remove the ties between them. This book investigates the links between education, religion and politics.The dominant feature in creating a common culture between peoples, each of which has its own distinct heritage and practices, is religion. Globalisation is leading to a redefinition of the state, community and local identity, this latter often perceived as resistance against the forces of unity, whether through culture, economic activity or language. Recent world events have focused attention on the interplay between education, religion and politics like never before. Even more pertinent is the fact that the involvement of politics in decisions about religion and education is often central and impossible to disentangle.Education and Religion covers all the major religious traditions – Buddhist, Christian, Jewish, Hindu, Muslim, Sikh – and cites global examples throughout the world. It aims to understand the underlying complexities in the struggle to reconcile education, religion and politics in an informative and sensitive way.This book was originally published as a special issue of Comparative Education.

Originally published in 1985. Throughout the world the same key issues of concern recur in education in different countries. However, education specialists all too often are inward looking and consider problems only in the confines of their own country. This book argues that much is to be gained by taking a broader, more international view as the experiences of other countries can often provide valuable insights on how policies and practice can be improved in one's own country. The book illustrates this argument by examining in detail seven major issues of present concern and comparing how they are handled in different countries.

Originally published in 1985. In the last two decades education in the Third World has greatly expanded, raising many important issues. Some less developed countries have emulated the West in the style and organisation of their academic systems, hence, it could be said, increasing their dependence. Others have deliberately avoided this path, experimenting with systems more relevant to development and often in a radical way. At a theoretical level, Marxist and neo-Marxist development theorists argue that education systems dependent on the West are evidence of economic dependency and of the correctness of Marxist development theories; while others argue that the evidence points to an interdependent world and that dependency theories do not apply to education. Interestingly two key Marxist Third World Countries, China and Cuba, have very conservative education systems. This book discusses the problems of dependence and interdependence in education throughout the world.

Originally published in 1985. Throughout the world the same key issues of concern recur in education in different countries. However, education specialists all too often are inward looking and consider problems only in the confines of their own country. This book argues that much is to be gained by taking a broader, more international view as the experiences of other countries can often provide valuable insights on how policies and practice can be improved in one's own country. The book illustrates this argument by examining in detail seven major issues of present concern and comparing how they are handled in different countries.

Originally published in 1985. In the last two decades education in the Third World has greatly expanded, raising many important issues. Some less developed countries have emulated the West in the style and organisation of their academic systems, hence, it could be said, increasing their dependence. Others have deliberately avoided this path, experimenting with systems more relevant to development and often in a radical way. At a theoretical level, Marxist and neo-Marxist development theorists argue that education systems dependent on the West are evidence of economic dependency and of the correctness of Marxist development theories; while others argue that the evidence points to an interdependent world and that dependency theories do not apply to education. Interestingly two key Marxist Third World Countries, China and Cuba, have very conservative education systems. This book discusses the problems of dependence and interdependence in education throughout the world.