The Political and Economical Factors that Influence on the Educational Planning - Research Paper Example

Running head: TECHNICAL COLLEGE IN COTE D’IVOIRE Implementation Strategy for establishing a Technical College in Ivory Coast Insert Insert Grade Course Insert Tutor’s Name October 12, 2011 Part A: Defining the research problem 1. Introduction Education has been considered a key to economic, political, and social growth in different countries all over the world. An effective system of education gives rise to learned members of the public that promote the growth and development of a particular nation in various dimensions (Barr, n.d, p.34). The learning institutions should provide graduates that have the required skills and expertise for business and industrial application. The development of such an effective system of education requires a favorable political environment. Ivory Coast is in the process of recovering from political mayhem that has rocked the country for several years. The current government has struggled to restore peace in the country and wants to progress towards social, political, and economic development in the country. Three ministries are mainly concerned with the education system in the country. These are the Ministry of Education, The Ministry of Technical Education and Professional Training, and the Ministry of Higher Education and Research (Imboua-Niava, 2002, para.2). Other ministries also provide indirect support to education. A strong education system plays a significant role towards achieving these developmental objectives. There should be technical colleges that absorb students that do not qualify directly for university entrance. This improves on one of the objectives of educational policies of ensuring equity to improve educational outcomes (Barr, n.d, p.33). The colleges should integrate other academic and practical training to produce graduates that are useful to the country. This paper focuses on the establishment of a technical college in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. In particular, it focuses on the influence that political factors play in the establishment of such institutions. These political factors also relate to other factors like the economic and social issues in the country. Thus, the response and opinions of different individuals will be sought on how best the institution can be established. Thesis Education promotes political, social, and economic development in a given country. The good education can only be realized if an effective educational system is put in place. Nevertheless, the development of this effective educational system is in turn affected by the political, economic, and social factors prevailing in the country. 2. Research question Is it possible to establish a technical institute owing to the current political, social, and economic situations that are witnessed Cote D’Ivoire? In other words, is the government’s attempt to promote education the key to solving the current social and economic crises in the country, and is this achievable? 3. The basis of the problem 3.1. The political climate in the Ivory Coast Ivory Coast was a French colony and attained her independence in 1960. After the independence, the country was under a system of one-party rule for three decades with President Felix Houphouet-Boigny. On 28 October 1990, the country had the first presidential election in which the incumbent won with over 80% of the votes. Coupled with the social crisis that rocked the country, the presidential elections led to political unrest since they were allegedly rigged. Even though it was believed that democracy had been restored in country, the opposition parties and their leaders have not been treated fairly (Refworld, 1991, para.6). Therefore, there has been constant political unrest within the country. Last year, another presidential election was held in which the defending president was defeated by his opponents according to the elections commission. The president dismissed the results and refused to concede defeat leading to another political unrest. This situation lasted until the president was forcefully hoisted from power. Since then, the country is in the process of reconstructing its broken system and fixing the social and economic crises. 3.2. The education system in Ivory Coast The education system of the Ivory Coast consisted mainly of three important stages. These are primary education, secondary education and university education. The primary school education took a period of six years with an issue of a certificate for primary studies (US Library Congress, n.d, para.1). The secondary school education consisted of two learning cycles totaling to seven years of learning. After the first cycle (the first four years of learning), the students were to sit for an exam and issued with a certificate in lower secondary education- BEPC (US Library Congress, n.d, para.8). With this qualification, a student would take on an entry-level job, join a teacher-training institution, or proceed to a college for three years. There were other alternative (complementary) courses for the students who did not make it to the colleges that combined both academic and practical training to equip the students with adequate skills. The students received a certification that corresponds to one or two years of study at the university level in the US (US Library Congress, n.d, para.8). This certification provided a qualification to pursue a university course. 4. Keys to the successful establishment of the technical college- the concept map 4.1. The programs offered The success in the establishment of the technical college depends on certain key issues. Firstly, there is need to consider the kind of academic programs that are to be offered by the institution. The programs have been designed according to the needs of the professionals in business and industries. To attract many students, the courses have been developed that are not provided by other technical colleges but offer quality content that are useful to the learners. 4.2. The source of funds It has been stated that the government is in the process of reconstructing its system. One of the mechanisms of achieving this objective is by promoting higher education in the country. Studies have indicated enormous benefits of investing in education (Levin et al, 2007, p.1). As such, some of the funds that are need for the establishment of the institution will be sourced from the government. Companies are also in need for the graduates with skills that are to be applied in the respective placements. Some companies have also shown willingness to provide financial support towards the program. The initiative was also developed by a group of individuals and organizations that entered into partnership. Some capital will be raised through the partnership. Lastly, the project will also be supported by loans borrowed from banks. The resources need to be used efficiently to maximize the gains in educational outcomes (Barr, n.d, p.33). 4.3. The strategic location of the institution It is desirable that the institution be situated in a strategic location with good infrastructure. Roads, water and electricity supply is a key consideration in establishment of an institution of this kind that will attract a large population from different parts of the country. The location that has been identified for the establishment of the institution has good electricity and water supply. It has also been purposed that a system to harness solar energy will also be installed in the institution to provide a backup for electricity supply. 4.4. Government regulations There is a need to consider the government regulations that are imposed on higher education when establishing the college. The certificates offered by the college have to be recognized within and without the country. Thus, there is need to ensure that the college has received an accreditation. An approval shall be sought from the Ministry of technical Training and Professional education. The institution shall also abide by the regulations of the Ministry of Education to make sure that its curriculum is in line with the primary and secondary curriculum. 4.5. Competition There are a number of universities and colleges in this country. The country has three public autonomous universities, two university colleges and four higher education institutes (Imboua-Niava, 2002, para.12).It is therefore desirable that the college to be established offers program that are not offered by the other colleges in order to minimize competition. This has been the basis upon which the courses to be offered by the college were developed. It also considered the current demand for professionals in different industries and sectors. 5. Significance of the proposed study The intended research will contribute significantly towards the growth of business and industrial sector. Employers are in need of qualified individuals. The development of a good educational system will enable such individuals to be developed. As such, the needs of the employers will be met. Since the research aims at studying the factors affecting education as well as how education influence different aspects of development, it promotes these development aspects. Similarly, the establishment of these institutions enables students to improve on their professions as it involves both academic training and practical applications of the acquired concepts. The individuals are thus capable of developing their respective careers as they are allowed to choose what best fits them. Effective educational planning involves an understanding of the causal relationship o different factors and making rational decisions (Haddad & Demsky, 1995, p.17). Enables the government and other policy developers to understand better mechanisms for the establishment of a technical college The study also promotes further research in this particular field. The findings of the research will be useful for other scholars researching in topics related to education enhancement in an area. Part B: Operationalizing the research problem 1. The key concepts It has been observed that several factors will contribute to the success in the establishment of the institution. It is almost impossible to state categorically that a particular factor is the key and that its absence leads to automatic fail. This is analogous to the fuzzy (infinite-valued) logic in mathematics that challenges the traditional bi-valued logic of Yes or No (Kaushal, Mohan, & Sandhu, 2010, p.313). Different individuals will value these factors differently. Social and economic factors like the current crises are key concepts related to the success of the establishment of the institution. The recent political turmoil also has significant impacts here. Similarly, the plan for the administration of the institution is also significant. All these factors seem to have relationship with each other. They all converge towards political stability in the country as the root of all other developmental aspects. 2. Hypotheses of the study The identification of the different key concepts translates into the flowering hypotheses for the study. H1: A politically stable government is essential for the establishment of a technical college in Abidjan, Cote D’Ivoire. H2: The success of the establishment of the technical college is affected by the available founds for the project. H3: The success of the college is affected by the system of operation adopted by the management of the institution to be established. 3. Nature of the research This research will be explanatory and intended to collect qualitative data concerning the development of the quality of education in the country. It will involve an examination of different factors in the country that have affected, or are likely to affect the quality of education in the country. The research will entail group discussion with various professionals in the education sector and other government departments concerned with education. Other dignitaries within the city of Abidjan like political activities shall also be included in the discussion. Evidence shall also be sought from other secondary sources like the bureau of statistics and the performance records in the existing institutions of higher learning. The significance of each of the above-identified success factors shall be determined by an analysis of the response of each of the individuals included in the study. The qualitative data can be translated into quantitative data. For instance, from the qualitative data, the number of individuals that consider political factors as the key determinant of successful establishment of the institution can be obtained. This will reflect on the significance of this factor. 4. The identified variables It has been stated that different factors influence the success of the implementation of the project. These factors are considered in terms of the following variables. 4.1. Kinds of programs offered There is a need to consider the kind of expertise that is in great demand in business and industries and develop a curriculum that suits these needs. It will not be appropriate to offer courses that are offered by most of the other technical colleges and are in low demand. 4.2. The government policies and regulation An approval of the college by the relevant authorities will validate the certificate issued by the college. 4.3. The available funds for the project The establishment of the college requires funds. It is important to focus on the promising sources from where the funds shall be obtained to facilitate the project. A thorough explanation on the necessity of the technical college will enhance obtaining financial support from the government, well-wishers, and donor agencies. 4.4. The other colleges that offer the same courses The institution should be able to attract many students and provide valuable services. As such, the competing institutions should also be considered in planning for the establishment of the institution to ensure that the courses do not overlap. 4.5. The location of the institution Lastly, the infrastructure of a given geographic location will also affect the successful establishment of an institution in the area. Accessibility of the area through roads, the water supply in the area, and availability of electricity are important factors that affect the success of the project. 5. Measurements of these variables It has been pointed out that the study aims at establishing these and other factors that influence the successful establishment and future operations of a technical college through collecting the views of different people. The variables shall be measured by identifying individuals that consider each of these factors as essential towards the establishment of the technical college. This will also enhance the identification of other factors that are not hypothesized as affecting the establishment and successful operations of the college. References Barr, N. (N.d). The benefits of education: What we know and what we don’t. London School of Economics Retrieved from http://www.hm-treasury.gov.uk/d/252.pdf Haddad, W. and Demsky, T. (1995). Education policy-planning process: an applied framework. Fundamentals of educational planning. Retrieved from http://www.unesco.org/education/pdf/11_200.pdf Imboua-Niava. (2002). Educational system in Cote D’Ivoire. Retrieved from http://www.bibl.u-szeged.hu/oseas_adsec/cote.htm Kaushal, P., Mohan, N. and Sandhu, P. (2010). Relevancy of Fuzzy Concept in Mathematics. International Journal of Innovation, Management and Technology, 1(3). Retrieved from http://www.ijimt.org/papers/58-M450.pdf. Levin, H. et al. (2007). The Costs and Benefits of an Excellent Education for All of America’s Children. An Excellent Education for All of America’s Children. Retrieved from http://www.cbcse.org/media/download_gallery/Leeds_Report_Final_Jan2007.pdf. Refworld. Ivory Coast: Current political situation. Retrieved from http://www.unhcr.org/refworld/country,,IRBC,,CIV,,3ae6ac6858,0.html. US Library Congress. (N.d). Ivory Coast- The Education System. Retrieved from http://countrystudies.us/ivory-coast/39.htm. Read More