Teachers and their roles in developing countries are often vastly different to those of their counterparts in the developed nations. Their job must not only encompass that of teacher – but also that of community development worker, politician and agent of cultural change. These differences – added to the variety of people who become teachers in the developing world (ranging from the missionary to the Guru) present many unique problems in teacher education.

First published in 1986, Teachers and Teacher Education in Developing Countries presents an in-depth survey of the issues in teacher education in the developing world, tracing the evolution of the idea of the multipurpose teacher from colonial times to the late twentieth century. The various tasks of teachers are described and the question posed as to how well they are equipped to carry them out. The author reviews the issues involved in planning and administering a national teaching force and is often critical of teacher training. Alternative structures and patterns of teacher education are described with the help of case studies.