Any meaningful attempt to identify and explain the constraints on the credibility of the university system in developing countries should be based on an appreciation of the historical context in which this institution of higher education evolved. The purpose of this paper however is to undertake an examination of the present day realities of institutional and ideological factors which impede the successful realization of the espoused goals of the university in new states. These states are often categorized in the literature as belonging to the 'Third World' (Altbach [5]).

Using a post-colonial lens, this paper describes the changes and constants in Jamaica’s educational system between the 19th and the early 21st century using academic literature and secondary data from the Ministry of Education. High schools initially emerged in Jamaica for the upper and middle classes only, based on the families’ income level, thus excluding children from the lower income bracket. Over time, breaking the glass ceiling for lower-income students became more possible as education included students moving from elementary to high school based on merit.