ROLE OF EDUCATION IN RURAL DEVELOPMENT: It" A KEY FACTOR FOR DEVELOPING COUNTRIES

ABSTRACT Relevent, locally-controlled educational programs play key roles in rural development in developing nations. Education has a desirable controlling influence over development of the rural individual, family, community, and society, leading to reduced poverty,income equity, ancLcontrolled_unemployment._The_failure_of trickle-down_development_and_recognition_of_the_importance_of_rural areas_and rural_people to_the economic emancipation of developing countries has_given education a key role in rural systems of supply, production, marketing, personnel maintenance, education, health care, and governance. Functions of iducation include imparting social change, improving individual social position and standard of living, activating participation in rural and cultural development, increasing critical abilities of rural people to diagnose_their_ needs, 1assert1their _rights,_and take greater_control of_decisions Affecting their_lives,_providing trained manpower in_rural areas, linking rural and_urban sectors,_providing employment and income opportunities, increasing labor force productivity, and developing leadership. Education oriented to urban rather than rural needs may do more harm than good by accelerating rural to urban migration, generating youth unemployment, and leaving students ill-equipped to succeed in a rural environment. Education contributing_toirural development must be locally controlled, practical, applied, problem-posing, and focused on functional specialization. (LPL)