Importance and attainment of educational objectives in a developing country: Views of secondary teachers and students in Barbados

Abstract

Questionnaires were administered to 392 fourth- and fifth-form students and 228 teachers in Barbadian secondary schools which required them to rate the importance of, and attention given in their own schools to, 20 educational objectives. Data indicated close agreement amongst students and amongst teachers on both issues, regardless of type or location of school, but significant differences between students' and teachers' views concerning several objectives, particularly those related to careers. Findings are compared with those from similar European studies, and implications for the local educational system are considered.