Planning education for accelerated national development in third world countries : a case study of Malawi

Abstract

The objectives of the research undertaken was to assess the role of education in stimulating 'accelerated development' in the poor countries, with particular reference being made to Malawi. The effectiveness of various educational planning models, when applied to manpower planning problems in Malawi were reviewed and evaluated. An assessment was made of early approaches to educational provision and manpower growth as evidenced in Conferences such as the Addis Ababa Conference (1961), the Ashby Report on Nigeria (1960), in addition to a reappraisal of educational planning measures which occurred in the 1970s. The structure and provision of educational facilities in Malawi was reviewed in the light of the existing severe shortages of skilled and trained manpower being experienced by the nation. Such shortages of manpower have been found to pose considerable hindrances to the development process. An assessment and review of the available educational planning frameworks was undertaken, with particular attention being given to the Manpower Planning Framework, this being the approach employed in Malawi to assess projected shortfalls and increasing demand for skilled manpower. The Thesis points to a number of limitations in the Manpower Planning approach as implemented in Malawi, and in view of such limitations, recommends the application of a Benefit Cost Analysis to educational planning, stressing the flexibility it permits in the planning process. The Benefit Cost approach was applied, in illustration, to the problem of determining how to overcome the projected shortfalls in manpower requirements experienced in one occupational sector of the economy, notably the shortages which exist in the engineering sector. The statistics utilised in this illustration were derived primarily from the Malawi National Statistical Office, in addition to the findings of a series of A.I.D. Reports on the matter. In conclusion, the Thesis pointed to the importance of co-ordinated long-term planning, and the adoption of educational planning frameworks. It was deduced that the differing educational planning approaches, in particular the Manpower Planning Approach and the Benefit Cost Analysis Approach, are rightly complementary in their application, not competitive as is commonly assumed. Hence, it is proposed that increased flexibility be built into the educational planning process.