MEKNES ENGLISH CORNER



Brain drain, which is the action of having highly skilled and educated people leaving their country to work abroad, has become one of the developing countries concern. Brain drain is also referred to as human capital flight. More and more third world science and technology educated people are heading for more prosperous countries seeking higher wages and better working conditions. This has of course serious consequences on the sending countries.

While many people believe that immigration is a personal choice that must be understood and respected, others look at the phenomenon from a different perspective. What makes those educated people leave their countries should be seriously considered and a distinction between push and pull factors must be made. The push factors include low wages and lack of satisfactory working and living conditions. Social unrest, political conflicts and wars may also be determining causes. The pull factors, however, include intellectual freedom and substantial funds for research.

Brain drain has negative impact on the sending countries economic prospects and competitiveness. It reduces the number of dynamic and creative people who can contribute to the development of their country. Likewise, with more entrepreneurs taking their investments abroad, developing countries are missing an opportunity of wealth creation. This has also negative consequences on tax revenue and employment.

Most of the measures taken so far have not had any success in alleviating the effects of brain drain. A more global view must take into consideration the provision of adequate working and living conditions in the sending countries. Another option should involve encouraging the expatriates to contribute their skills and expertise to the development of their countries.

Comprehension

A - Are these statements true or false? Justify.

1. Brain drain refers to the immigration of illiterate people to work abroad. 
   

............................................................................................................

1. Brain drain happens because of two types of causes.  ..........................

................................................................................................................................................................

1. Strategies used to limit the effects of brain drain proved efficient.  ..........................

................................................................................................................................................................

B- Answer these questions.

1. What is another term for brain drain?  ....................................................................................................
2. What are the negative effects of brain drain on the sending countries?
   

..................................................................................................................................................................

1. How do you think we can turn brain drain into brain gain? 
   

..................................................................................................................................................................

C- Complete the following sentences.

1. Brain drain refers to ................................................................................................................................
2. Skilled people emigrate to developed countries drawn by .............................................................................................
3. Brain drain has got  push factors such as
   

.............................................................................................................

D- Find in the text words that mean almost the same as.

1. rich and successful (paragraph 1): .............................................
2. looking for (paragraph 1): ................................................
3. large and big (paragraph 2): ..............................................
4. effect or influence (paragraph 3): ..........................................
5. good enough and satisfactory (paragraph 4): ..................... ................