INTRODUCTION
1.1
This Government Paper outlines Government’s reactions to the
recommendations of the Report of the
National Commission on Education 1993 and lays down policy guidelines and
strategy for future educational development.
1.2
His
Excellency the President appointed the National Commission on Education in April
1.
To review the
current education system and its relevance; and identify problems
and strategies for its further development in the context of
2.
To
re-examine the structure of the education system that will guarantee universal
access to basic education, whilst consolidating and vocationalising the
curriculum content at this level.
3.
To advice on an
education system that is sensitive and responsive to the aspirations of the
people and manpower requirements of the country.
4.
To study the
various possible methods of streaming into vocational and academic groups at
senior secondary level.
5.
To study how
the secondary structure at senior level may relate to the
6.
To advice on
the organisation and diversification of the secondary school curricula that will
prepare adequately and effectively those that are unable to proceed with higher
education.
7. To make recommendations to Government on the best and cost-effective methods of implementation of the final recommendations.
1.3 The Commission addressed the above issues through a variety of procedures, namely national consultations, institutional visits, written and oral submissions, research and policy studies and external study tours. This is an indication of the extensive consultation that the Commission conducted with abroad spectrum of the society in accordance with the major national principle of democracy. Information gathered through these means was discussed at sub-committee level, sometimes with specialists in specific areas, or at plenary meetings. The extent of analysis of the issues led to comprehensive findings, conclusions and recommendations intended to guide future educational development into the next century and beyond.
1.4
The
Commission submitted its report in July 1993 after 13 months of work. There are
134 main recommendations, some of which have sub-recommendations and therefore
making a total of 424 recommendations in all.
Government recognises that given the prevailing circumstances in terms of
the socio-economic structure of the country, the seemingly reformist and
revolutionary nature of some of the recommendations is considered appropriate.
1.5
Characteristically,
education has a long gestation period and its effectiveness is optimised when
long-term changes in the population structure, the economy and employment
opportunities are taken into account. It is therefore necessary to undertake
periodic reviews of the education system and to determine the extent to which it
meets the socio-economic goals of the nation.
1.6
The
last review was undertaken in 1976 and it led to a National Policy on Education
adopted in Government Paper No. 1 of 1977. This, in the main, has guided the
development of education until now. There has been, over the years, increasing
recognition that the socio-economic context within which the 1976 review took
place has changed considerably and therefore there was need to review some of
the policies and strategies for education development.