Teacher resource centres in developing countries: an effective strategy for improving the quality of education in schools?

The major aim of this study is to attempt to assess the effectiveness of teacher resource centres (TRCs) as a strategy in helping to improve the quality of education in schools in developing countries; the purpose being to assist policy makers in deciding whether or not to invest in teacher resource centres as part of new education develpoment projects. The research methods employed in this study were a literature review and case studies. Case studies were done in four countries. ... A summary of findings across the 4 case studies: The expectations placed on TRCs to help teachers develop their capacities to be reflective and flexible, to identify and solve their own problems, to create their own resources and to effectively apply new ideas to teaching and learning have not been realized. ... The major problem of TRC strategy is that it is not designed to work inside schools. Few programmes start with where teachers are and build incrementally from there. Four options are presented. ... The study raises the more general question about the relevance to developing countries of education concepts and models transferred from the West. (DIPF/orig.