Overview

In 1976, the government and people of Nigeria launched one of the most ambitious educational projects in African history, the Universal Primary Education Scheme, popularly known as UPE. All primary education became free of charge and efforts were made to enroll as many children as possible. Just in the launching year, the number of children in Nigerian primary schools exceeded the entire population of many African countries, and further increases were rapid. First published in 1981, Universal Primary Education in Nigeria first places Nigeria in the overall context of Africa and the developing world and then goes on to examine in detail the effects and implications of UPE in Kano State, the most populous state of the Federation of Nigeria. It elucidates the main objectives of UPE from both the Kano State and national viewpoints and assesses the extent to which they were achieved. In the process, it pays particular attention to political issues and to the opposing pressures of quantity and quality. The lessons that can be drawn from the successes and problems encountered in Nigeria and the conclusions drawn about mass education schemes will be of great value to all those engaged in similar projects throughout the developing world.

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9781041234609

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Reviews

Reviews of the first publication: ‘The value of the book lies in the wealth of its material, collated from a variety of sources - most notably personal interviews (including one with Yakubu Gowon, 5.9.1978) and the Nigerian press; in its careful, scholarly approach to an almost overwhelming subject; and in its lucid presentation of detail. Dr. Bray…deserves praise for producing a…solid and well researched study.’ — David Stephens, University of London Institute of Education ‘…this study is of value to planners and policymakers in many African countries, and to anyone who seeks an understanding of contemporary Nigeria.’ — James Urwick, The Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 22, No. 2

Reviews of the first publication: ‘The value of the book lies in the wealth of its material, collated from a variety of sources - most notably personal interviews (including one with Yakubu Gowon, 5.9.1978) and the Nigerian press; in its careful, scholarly approach to an almost overwhelming subject; and in its lucid presentation of detail. Dr. Bray…deserves praise for producing a…solid and well researched study.’ — David Stephens, International Review of Education, Vol. 29, No. 2 ‘…this study is of value to planners and policymakers in many African countries, and to anyone who seeks an understanding of contemporary Nigeria.’ — James Urwick, The Journal of Modern African Studies, Vol. 22, No. 2 ‘A fascinating subject and a sound and readable book to analyse it.’ — H.W.R. Hawes, Times Educational Supplement ‘This is an absorbing study in depth with far-ranging implications for countries attempting to provide universal primary education (UPE)…. Mark Bray lived and worked in Nigeria while doing the background research for his doctorate from which this book emanates. Many doctoral theses make arid reading for the general reader, but this one is an exception. The author has the ability to arouse interest in details while signposting clearly the larger issues.’ — L.A. Dove, Durham and Newcastle Research Review, Vol.10 ‘Bray artfully combines statistical data derived primarily from government documents with information from interviews and field observation… The result is a book which is not only highly informative but a pleasurable one to read.’ — Robert F. Stock, Africa, Vol. 53, No. 3 ‘Bray has produced a most valuable and informative study which ought to be widely read and discussed by academics and educational administrators alike. It should also find a place either as a textbook or as highly recommended reading in comparative education and educational planning and administration courses in universities.’ — Clive Whitehead, Education Research and Perspectives, Vol. 10, No. 2 ‘The foreword to this book makes reference to ‘… fact collecting on such an extensive scale’ and in many ways this is just what Bray has done…. Bray has done an admirable job in gathering together a great deal of information… In doing so he gives a thorough account of the history of UPE schemes in Nigeria in general and in Kano State in particular.’ — Clive Harber, International Journal of Educational Development, Vol. 22, No. 1 ‘Thoroughness and clear classification characterize the book, a model for educational administrators and an aid to international readers interested in African social experiments. It deserves a wide readership.’ — W.H. Taylor, West Africa

Author Information

Mark Bray began his career as a teacher in Kenya in 1970. In 1973 he moved to Benue State, Nigeria, and then in 1976 to Kano. In 1978 he was appointed to a lectureship in the Centre of African Studies at the University of Edinburgh. This book is based on his PhD thesis completed at the University of Edinburgh and on subsequent follow-up research. Later in his career, Mark Bray taught at the Universities of Papua New Guinea, London, and Hong Kong. Between 2006 and 2010 he took leave from Hong Kong to work in Paris as Director of UNESCO’s International Institute for Educational Planning (IIEP). He currently holds the UNESCO Chair in Comparative Education at the University of Hong Kong.

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