ABSTRACT

Increasing global economic competition and rapid technological change put a premium on human resource development. At the same time, social aspirations are rising and growing numbers of young people seek the higher qualifications which will give them access to the most desirable jobs and lifestyles. It is no wonder then that governments throughout the world are increasingly concerned with the effectiveness of their systems of post-compulsory education and training, and invest much energy in efforts to reform them. These have focused, in particular, on three areas: institutional structures; standards and curricula; and qualification and assessment systems.