An analysis of the reasons for the disappointing results of investments made by developing countries in the expansion of their educational systems. The author looks at the problems confronting such countries and also suggests alternative strategies for their educational problems.

Several chapters deal with alternative strategies that could enable less wealthy nations to provide more education, of quality, for more people, more effectively, more quickly and at costs that can be reasonably afforded. The author stresses however, that each country must discover its own system to suit its particular needs and aspirations, but that the immediate task is for countries to size up their assets, to determine how these should be reshaped and to develop strategies for the future.

The education explosion
disenchantment
new and outstanding problems
education and unemployment
inequality of educational opportunity
rural-urban migration
fighting a losing battle
the need for change
some cost-saving alternatives
post-primary education
curbing the demand for post-primary education
reducing educated unemployment and rural-urban migration - changing the school curriculum?
equality in education
the alternative of non-formal education
education for the rural disadvantaged
the alternative of distance teaching
implementing alternative strategies of education
case studies of educational reform - India, Tanziania, China and Cuba.