International Journal of Educational Development

The purpose of the International Journal of Educational Development is to report new insight and foster critical debate about the role that education plays in development. Aspects of development with which the journal is concerned include economic growth and poverty reduction; human development, well being, the availability of human rights; democracy, social cohesion and peace-building; resilience and environmental sustainability. IJED seeks to help make available new evidence-based theories and understandings as to the extent and nature of educational change in diverse settings. It stresses the importance of appreciating the interplay of local, national, regional and global contexts and dynamics in shaping education and development. Traditional notions of development concerning growth, industrialization and poverty reduction are under scrutiny. While much attention in the past has concentrated on school achievement and other empirical products of schooling there is a new awareness of education's role in affecting community social cohesion and other social goals. The notion of development itself is broadening, both as a theoretical construct and in its policy and program manifestations. Education is prominent in discussions and critiques of development. Here too perspectives may vary. Education is designed to promote human capability and better the chances for social justice, promote competitiveness and productivity; reduce inequality, poverty and disease; mitigate conflict and crisis. At the same time, education is also being scrutinized for entrenching differences; challenging local values and culture; and for fostering counterproductive experiences of many pupils.