Transcript Chapter 1: Human Misery

Education in ME & NA
Kinds of Education

On-the-job training

Technical and vocational training

Formal education at the elementary, secondary, and
higher levels

Adult education; extension programs in agriculture

Migration: internal (rural- urban and urban-urban) and
external (the brain drain)
Educational Expenditures
Educational expenditures as a proportion of
the GDP has nearly double in ME & NA
between 1970 and 1990 (e.g., Jordan, Saudi
Arabia
Enrollment Growth

Enrollment ratios have substantially
increased in many countries in all levels of
education (primary, secondary, and tertiary)

Still secondary and tertiary enrollment ratios
are not high enough (e.g., less than 80% in
secondary and less than 15% in tertiary)
Science Education

The educational system is biased toward
liberal arts at the expense of sciences.
Enrollment ratios in sciences is less than
40%

As a result many students go abroad to gain
science education (e.g., engineering).
Nearly 20% of high school and college
graduates study abroad
Educational Problems

Shortage of qualified teachers and administrators
and textbooks

Lack of emphasis on critical thinking and analytical
skills development

Cultural and political resistance to education because
it creates new values, and expectations

Unfavorable attitude toward female education and
participation
Educational Problems

Creation of "educated" unemployment and
underemployment due to limited labor absorptive capacity
of the economy

Expansion of urban open unemployment through
rural-urban and urban-urban migration

Increased income inequality since higher education is
generally available to the already affluent people

Inability to accommodate foreign educated professionals,
contributing to the brain drain