Education In Small States Research Articles

Commonwealth Small States, Education and Environmental Uncertainty: Learning from the Sharp End

ABSTRACTThis paper examines the Commonwealth’s inclusive role in engaging with the distinctive challenges of education provision in small states, an agenda that is often neglected elsewhere. We examine the origins of Commonwealth work on education in small states, the nature of its comparative advantage, its role in facilitating small states’ engagement with international education dialogue and regional co-operation, and the demand and potential for ongoing Commonwealth support for education. Particular attention is given to experience within the Caribbean region and to the potential for the Commonwealth and the wider international community to learn from small states in the light of their distinctive educational challenges, achievements and priorities – and, most notably, their experience at the ‘sharp end’ of environmental uncertainty and climate change.

Institutionalizing interprofessional education in small states: perspectives from faculty and key stakeholders in Malta

ABSTRACTThe benefits of a collaborative practice-ready workforce for patient-centered care are internationally gaining momentum and the Interprofessional education (IPE) movement is contributing to this. In the small island state of Malta, the importance of a collaborative health-care workforce is being promoted and endorsed in policy documents. However, IPE has not yet been formally integrated into professional health education curricula. This qualitative case study aimed to explore stakeholders’ perspectives and perceptions of a possible IPE initiative at the Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Malta. A purposive sampling method with 59 participants including academics and senior policy-makers was used. Data were gathered through focus groups, one-to-one interviews and documentary searches and analyzed using a ‘Framework’ approach supported by NVivo 10. Four major themes were identified encompassing enablers and barriers for IPE: a) IPE could be beneficial, b) institutional and organizational barriers, c) professional barriers, and d) cultural barriers. This study highlights a range of interdependent challenges in the implementation of IPE from the perspective of the small state of Malta that can nonetheless contribute insights for other smaller sized nations for the development and formalization of collaborative innovations in the educational curricula of health professionals. In particular, it highlights that national cultural dimensions or traits may represent a relatively unexplored barrier to date for the successful implementation of IPE in specific countries.

Challenges in Regulating Quality Assurance in Higher Education in Small States:A Case Study of the Maldives

This paper presents findings of a case study of the regulatory framework of quality assurance (QA) in higher education in the Maldives. For this study, a systems approach was adopted to capture a holistic perspective of the various key elements and their relationships to each other to investigate the effectiveness of the regulatory framework in the quality assurance system. The data collection consisted of document analysis and interviews with four key stakeholder groups. Some of the unique challenges in developing and establishing a fully-functioning regulatory mechanism of quality assurance for higher education in the Maldives include lack of independence of the system from the Ministry of Education and influence of other key stakeholders on the decision making process of the quality assurance system. Absence of a legal mandate to ensure that outcomes of regulatory processes are accepted by the government, the public and the higher education system is unique to the Maldives where the quality assurance system has been in operation since 2010, while it holds no legal status or independence. Whilst the case study is situated in the Maldives, it provides a useful reference for policy makers, practitioners and professionals in other small states.

El impacto de las instituciones internacionales en la formulación de políticas de educación en países pequeños : el caso de El Salvador = The impact of international institutions on education policymaking in small states : the case of El Salvador

This article analyses the institutional power of the United States Agency for International Development (USAID) in the process of education policy formation in El Salvador during 2003-2005. The results show how bi- and multi-lateral institutions are able to leverage financial and intellectual capital to guide the policymaking process and sway which policies are seen as acceptable and desirable. As is show, one key to this influence is how USAID was able to manipulate the policymaking process by creating key events and producing key informational inputs that led to future events and subsequent opportunities to present and emphasize their research. Additionally, this research underscores how even exceptional leadership and political will at the national level can be insufficient to avoid the agendas that are at times advanced by international institutions. Finally, it is suggested that research on education in small states expand the notion of smallness to focus on institutional.

Book review: Education in Small States: Policies and Priorities

Book review: Education in Small States: Policies and Priorities

Revisiting scale, comparative research and education in small states

Comparative research on education in small states has attracted international attention since the mid-1980s when the Commonwealth sponsored a number of seminal meetings and publications, and became a key advocate for the advancement of such work. This article considers the place of different dimensions of scale in comparative research; re-examines the potential of small states as a framework for comparative analysis; and explores the ways in which insights from the small states literature may contribute to new directions for innovative research on education policy transfer in this arena. In doing so, conclusions point to ways of extending the traditional boundaries that have come to demarcate this distinctive arena for research and scholarship in comparative education.

Internationalisation as a Strategy to Improve the Quality of Higher Education in Small States: Stakeholder Perspectives in Lithuania

Assumptions have developed around the benefits of internationalisation; for example, that it promotes cultural integration and harmony, improves the quality of education and research, and improves country and institutional reputations internationally. A range of coercive, normative and mimetic influences have pushed most small states with mass or universal higher education systems to embrace the concept of internationalisation. By adopting a stakeholder analysis approach in one small state — Lithuania — this research investigates the successes, failures and challenges of internationalisation in improving the quality of higher education provision. It was found that internationalisation can present both opportunities and challenges to small states. However, the overwhelming consensus among the range of stakeholders who participated in this study was that the benefits of internationalisation far outweigh the threats and disadvantages. The paper concludes with a set of generalisable recommendations for small states that possess mass or universal higher education systems.

Tertiary education in small states: Planning in the context of globalization

Tertiary education in small states: Planning in the context of globalization

Education in small states: Policies and priorities

Education in small states: Policies and priorities

A Higher Education Quality Assurance Model for Small States: The Maldives Case Study

This paper presents findings of a case study in the Maldives of a holistic quality assurance model for higher education in Small States. Although case study is situated in the Maldives, an example of a Small State, the findings provided useful reference for policy makers, practitioners and professionals in other Small States. The study draws on a systems theory to investigate the systemic characteristics of quality assurance in higher education. It is a qualitative case study based and includes the use of document analysis and interviews data. The preliminary findings indicate that regulatory mechanisms, independence, one-tier system, guidelines and standards, transparency, academic audit, accreditation and collaboration emerged as critical areas for the system of quality assurance in higher education for Small States. Some of the mechanisms used by bigger nations to address the above critical areas may not be appropriate for Small States, adding weight to the ‘fit for purpose’ definition of quality. Keywords - Higher education accreditation, Higher education quality indicators, Standards of higher education, higher education quality regulations, Programme accreditation, institutional accreditation, institutional audit.

Tertiary Education in Small States: Planning in the Context of Globalization, edited by Michaela Martin and Mark Bray

Tertiary Education in Small States: Planning in the Context of Globalization, edited by Michaela Martin and Mark Bray

<em>Education in Small States: Policies and Priorities</em>, Michael Crossley, Mark Bray, and Steve Parker

<em>Education in Small States: Policies and Priorities</em>, Michael Crossley, Mark Bray, and Steve Parker

Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching, by Charlotte Danielson, Education in Small States: Policies and Priorities, by Michael Crossley, Mark Bray, and Steve Packer

Enhancing Professional Practice: A Framework for Teaching, by Charlotte Danielson, Education in Small States: Policies and Priorities, by Michael Crossley, Mark Bray, and Steve Packer

Education in Small States: Global Imperatives, Regional Initiatives, and Local Dilemmas, edited by Peter Mayo

Education in Small States: Global Imperatives, Regional Initiatives, and Local Dilemmas, edited by Peter Mayo

Education in small states - By Michael Crossley

Education in small states - By Michael Crossley

Comparative and International Education: A Bibliography (2008)

Comparative and International Education: A Bibliography (2008)

Adult education in small states: the case of Malta

A small state faces several challenges with regard to adult continuing education and training. The paper discusses some of these challenges with specific reference to the Mediterranean small island state of Malta. It starts with a general discussion of some of the issues affecting adult education in a small state such as Malta that paves the way for the more focused analyses in the second and third sections. These sections focus on a selection of just two topics from among the many that affect adult education in Malta, namely those of adult education and work and adult education for sustainable development. These analyses are tackled from the perspective of the small state condition.

Higher Education in Small Territories: Political Transition and Development in Macau

Scholars and practitioners have argued that small states are not simply small-scale versions of large states. Rather, small states have distinctive generic features and require distinctive policies. This article focuses on Macau – an autonomous Special Administrative Region within China, and with features comparable to those of small sovereign states. The article shows ways in which Macau's small size shaped higher education in the territory. Small size is not the only determinant of the shape and scale of higher education in Macau. It is nevertheless significant. Through this case study, the article contributes to the broader literature on education in small states.

Higher education in small territories : Political transition and development in Macau

Scholars and practitioners have argued with increasing force that small states are not simply small-scale versions of large states. Rather, they have suggested, small states have distinctive generic features and require distinctive policies. This paper focuses on Macau, which is an autonomous Special Administrative Region within China, and which has features which are comparable to those of small sovereign states. The paper shows ways in which Macau’s small size has shaped higher education in the territory. Small size is of course not the only determinant of the shape and scale of higher education in Macau, but it is nevertheless shown to be a significant determinant. Through this case study, the paper contributes to the broader literature on education in small states.

External Aid and Education in Small States: Structural Issues, and Insights from a World Bank Assisted Project in Solomon Islands

A growing literature has shown that small states have distinctive features which must be taken into account in the design and operation of education systems. These features include lack of economies of scale, scarcity of personnel, and personalized bureaucracies in which individuals must undertake multiple and overlapping roles. This paper adds to the literatures both on external aid and on education in small states by analysing the experiences of a project in Solomon Islands. It identifies ways in which small‐state factors affected the implementation of the project, and highlights considerations which should be taken into account in the design of future projects not only in Solomon Islands but also in other small states. Descriptors: Aid, public administration, secondary education, small states, Solomon Islands, World Bank.