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CHAPTER EDUCATIONAL REFORM IN THEl970's

In most countries the need for educational reforms is clearly realized and many of them are either undertaking reforms or are making plans to do so. Following the International Conference on the Educational Crisis held in the United States in 1968, in which the problem of the inadequacy of education in relation to social development was discussed, the United Nations declared 1970 as International Education Year, encouraging all nations to make efforts for the development of education. Implementation projects were proposed by UNESCO, and throughout the developed and developing countries enthusiasm for educational reforms has been growing.

In developed countries as the society becomes more industrialized and complex and the universities' problems became obvious, it has become clear that quantitative educational expansion alone is not a solution to social change. This has induced these countries to review past and present education and to examine the possibilities for reform. On the other hand in the developing countries recognition of the role of education in national development has grown, and from this viewpoint educational improvements are seen as essential to socio-economic development.

International cooperation is indispensable in promoting educational reforms able to overcome problems common to different countries. For the developing countries to promote educational development and to carry out educational reform it is especially important to secure educational assistance from developed countries and international organizations.

In this chapter an overview of educational reforms in developed countries and educational plans in developing countries will be introduced, followed by outlines of specific educational reform measures in a few major countries. Following this, the basic guidelines for educational reform reported by the Central Council for Education in Japan will be presented.