Mark Bray – författare

In 1976, the government and people of Nigeria launched one of the most ambitious educational projects in African history, the Universal Primary Education Scheme, popularly known as UPE. All primary education became free of charge and efforts were made to enroll as many children as possible. Just in the launching year, the number of children in Nigerian primary schools exceeded the entire population of many African countries, and further increases were rapid.

First published in 1981, Universal Primary Education in Nigeria first places Nigeria in the overall context of Africa and the developing world and then goes on to examine in detail the effects and implications of UPE in Kano State, the most populous state of the Federation of Nigeria. It elucidates the main objectives of UPE from both the Kano State and national viewpoints and assesses the extent to which they were achieved. In the process, it pays particular attention to political issues and to the opposing pressures of quantity and quality.

The lessons that can be drawn from the successes and problems encountered in Nigeria and the conclusions drawn about mass education schemes will be of great value to all those engaged in similar projects throughout the developing world.

In 1976, the government and people of Nigeria launched one of the most ambitious educational projects in African history, the Universal Primary Education Scheme, popularly known as UPE. All primary education became free of charge and efforts were made to enroll as many children as possible. Just in the launching year, the number of children in Nigerian primary schools exceeded the entire population of many African countries, and further increases were rapid.

First published in 1981, Universal Primary Education in Nigeria first places Nigeria in the overall context of Africa and the developing world and then goes on to examine in detail the effects and implications of UPE in Kano State, the most populous state of the Federation of Nigeria. It elucidates the main objectives of UPE from both the Kano State and national viewpoints and assesses the extent to which they were achieved. In the process, it pays particular attention to political issues and to the opposing pressures of quantity and quality.

The lessons that can be drawn from the successes and problems encountered in Nigeria and the conclusions drawn about mass education schemes will be of great value to all those engaged in similar projects throughout the developing world.

Approaches and methods in comparative education research are of obvious importance, but do not always receive adequate attention. This book contributes new insights within the longstanding traditions of the field.

A particular feature is the focus on different units of analysis. Individual chapters compare places, systems, times, cultures, values, policies, curricula and other units. These chapters are contextualised within broader analytical frameworks which identify the purposes and strengths of the field. The book includes a focus on intra-national as well as cross-national comparisons, and highlights the value of approaching themes from different angles. The book will be of great value not only to producers of comparative education research but also to consumers who wish to understand more thoroughly the parameters and value of the field.

In the wake of tragic events in Charlottesville, Virginia, and Donald Trump’s initial refusal to denounce the white nationalists behind it all, the “antifa” opposition movement is suddenly appearing everywhere. But what is it, precisely? And where did it come from?

As long as there has been fascism, there has been anti-fascism—also known as “antifa.” Born out of resistance to Mussolini and Hitler in Europe during the 1920s and ’30s, the antifa movement has suddenly burst into the headlines amid opposition to the Trump administration and the alt-right. They could be seen in news reports, often clad all in black with balaclavas covering their faces, demonstrating at the presidential inauguration, and on California college campuses protesting far-right speakers, and most recently, on the streets of Charlottesville, Virginia, protecting, among others, a group of ministers including Cornel West from neo-Nazi violence. (West would later tell reporters, “The anti-fascists saved our lives.”)

Simply, antifa aims to deny fascists the opportunity to promote their oppressive politics, and to protect tolerant communities from acts of violence promulgated by fascists. Critics say shutting down political adversaries is anti-democratic; antifa adherents argue that the horrors of fascism must never be allowed the slightest chance to triumph again.

In a smart and gripping investigation, historian and former Occupy Wall Street organizer Mark Bray provides a detailed survey of the full history of anti-fascism from its origins to the present day—the first transnational history of postwar anti-fascism in English. Based on interviews with anti-fascists from around the world, Antifa details the tactics of the movement and the philosophy behind it, offering insight into the growing but little-understood resistance fighting back against fascism in all its guises.

Approaches and methods in comparative education are of obvious importance, but do not always receive adequate attention. This second edition of a well-received book, containing thoroughly updated and additional material, contributes new insights within the longstanding traditions of the field.

A particular feature is the focus on different units of analysis. Individual chapters compare places, systems, times, cultures, values, policies, curricula and other units. These chapters are contextualised within broader analytical frameworks which identify the purposes and strengths of the field. The book includes a focus on intra-national as well as cross-national comparisons, and highlights the value of approaching themes from different angles. As already demonstrated by the first edition of the book, the work will be of great value not only to producers of comparative education research but also to users who wish to understand more thoroughly the parameters and value of the field.

Private supplementary tutoring, widely known as shadow education because of the way that it mimics mainstream schooling, has greatly expanded worldwide. It consumes considerable family resources, provides employment for tutors, occupies the time of students, and has a backwash on regular schools. Although such tutoring has become a major industry and a daily activity for students, tutors and families, the research literature has been slow to catch up with the phenomenon. The topic is in some respects difficult to research, precisely because it is shadowy. Contours are indistinct, and the actors may hesitate to share their experiences and perspectives. Presenting methodological lessons from diverse cultures, the book contains chapters from both high-income and low-income settings in Asia, Caribbean, Europe and the Middle East. Separately and together, the chapters present valuable insights into the design and conduct of research.The book will assist both consumers and producers of research. Consumers will become better judges of the strengths, weaknesses and orientations of literature on the theme; and producers will gain insights for design of instruments, collection of data, and interpretation of findings.

The editors: Mark Bray is UNESCO Chair Professor in Comparative Education at the University of Hong Kong. Ora Kwo is an Associate Professor in the Comparative Education Research Centre at the University of Hong Kong. Boris Jokić is a Scientific Associate in the Centre for Educational Research and Development at the Institute for Social Research in Zagreb, Croatia.

At the beginning of the 21st century, new features have emerged within the field of comparative education. Some of these features result from new technologies, while others reflect political transitions and the forces of globalisation. The field embraces new insights on cultures, and scholars are exploring diverse units of analysis.

This book presents perspectives on these changes while noting various continuing traditions. Its contributors come from a wide range of countries and contexts, and present their work within a framework set by the 11th congress of the World Council of Comparative Education Societies (WCCES). The book makes a valuable methodological as well as a conceptual contribution to the field.