Abstract: | Between 1974 and 1977, at the instigation of the single Party the United National Independence Party (UNIP) and the Government, the Zambian people debated the future of their education. The debate took place at a crucial period in the political and social development of the country. On the political level, it was designed to allay fears about the recently declared One Party State, involve the people actively in the country's second decade of independence and revive the image of UNIP as the country's leader. On the social level, the aim was to use education to redress the imbalances and inequalities becoming manifest in the society, as well as assist economic development by making education more attuned to the needs of the country. The result of over two years work, high-level international seminars, visits to seven countries, repeated drafting efforts by the Ministry of Education, a national debate and a final plan, the whole operation orchestrated by the Party, was a restatement of the situation prior to 1974. Notes. |