It’s no secret that getting an education can be a difficult endeavor. Some school systems are more challenging than others, leaving some students feeling overwhelmed and unprepared for the future. So which country has the most difficult school system?
When it comes to complexity, there are a variety of factors one should consider before deciding. Many countries have stringent academic requirements, strict teaching methods, and rigid expectations for students that are difficult to meet.
To explore these questions further, here are 15 questions that can provide insight into the school systems of various nations.
1. What Countries Have the Strictest Academic Requirements?
Many countries have incredibly high academic requirements that put a strain on their students. In South Korea, the public school system is incredibly rigorous and demands a laborious workload each day.
Korean students attend school six days a week, they take a variety of subjects, and they are required to get perfect or near-perfect grades in all of them. In Japan, certain school grades are considered to be the “gateway to the future. ” Schools will sacrifice students who can’t keep up with the staggering workload out of fear, sometimes to the point of convincing them to drop out.
In some cases, the pressure of these high standards may even cause physical and emotional harm. These countries have some of the highest student suicide rates in the world, often due to young students feeling overwhelmed by their workload and expectations.
2. Which Countries Attach the Most Importance to Academics?
In some countries, academics are given far more weight than in others. Chinese parents, for example, heavily pressure their children to focus solely on their academics, and their school system is structured accordingly. Schools in China are incredibly competitive, and only the very best students are accepted into the best ones.
10+ point averages in all subjects are the norm, and advanced courses start around sixth grade. In Finland, academics are still very important, but the country has a much softer approach.
Emphasis is placed not just on getting good grades, but also on extracurricular activities, which are believed to be just as beneficial in teaching life skills. Finland consistently ranks among the best performing countries on standardized tests, but they also prioritize mental and emotional well-being.
3. Do Schools Offer Extracurricular Activities?
In many countries, students receive a much more well-rounded education than just learning academics. Germany, for instance, allows students to choose from a variety of activities, such as music courses, sports teams, and after-school clubs ranging from math and physics to creative writing and robotics. In Sweden, students are constantly encouraged to pursue their interests, regardless of whether or not they’re related to academics.
Schools strive to provide an environment which emphasizes personal growth and exploration, and extracurricular activities act as an outlet for students to cultivate their passions.
4. Are Private Schools Commonly Used?
In some countries, private schools are the only option when it comes to education. India, for example, has a two-tiered system, with the majority of the population attending lesser-known and often inadequately-funded public schools, while the upper and middle classes attend private schools with some of the best resources and teachers in the country.
In the United States, private schools are also a popular option, and they often offer more individualized attention and an array of extracurricular activities. These schools come with a hefty price tag, however, which may be unaffordable for many families.
5. How Long Are School Days?
Most countries have school days that are roughly six to eight hours long, with the United States having some of the shortest school days of the industrialized world. In most European countries, as well as in Japan, school days tend to be much longer, sometimes up to 10 hours, including after-school activities. In China, school days are even longer, often taking place from 7:30 am to 5 pm and sometimes beyond.
Chinese student’s days are made up of academics and extracurricular activities such as sports and music lessons.
6. Are There Differences Among Countries in the Amount of Homework Given?
In some countries, students are expected to complete a substantial amount of homework each night. In the United States, students in grades 7-12 are typically given 6-9 hours of homework each week, while in South Korea, students are expected to complete 3-4 hours per day. In China, students in upper level grades may be given 5-6 hours of homework each night, and students in junior and senior high school usually have at least 8 hours of homework each day.
In comparison, students in Finland typically have 1-2 hours of homework each day and in Sweden, homework is typically seen as less important than other activities, such as sports and personal development.
7. What Is the Role of Tests in the School System?
In many countries, tests are heavily relied upon to measure student achievement, and regulations around tests can vary greatly. In the United States, the SAT and ACT are required for college admissions, and students must perform well on them to gain access to the school of their choice. In South Korea, students are required to take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) to gain admission to college, and getting high scores on the CSAT is seen as paramount to success.
In Finland, tests are not the primary measure of student achievement. Instead, students are assessed based on a variety of criteria, such as observations of their classroom work and individual projects.
8. Is Education Free in Certain Countries?
In some countries, public education is free to all students and immensely important in the development of the country. In Finland, public education is free and mandatory for all children aged seven to 16, with an estimated 98 percent of students graduating from high school and going on to pursue higher education.
In France and Germany, school is free and compulsory until the age of 18, and in Denmark, it’s free until the age of 16 and subsidized until the age of 1 In the United States, public education is free, but school quality and resources vary greatly from state to state.
9. Are There Vocational Schools Available?
In some countries, vocational schools provide students with the opportunity to gain practical hands-on experience in a variety of fields. In Germany, for instance, vocational schools are popular, and many students pursue a combination of in-classroom learning and on-the-job internships. In Canada, students can choose between apprenticeship-based learning or a more traditional route.
Apprenticeships have been gaining traction, particularly in the trades, and a growing number of schools offer them.
10. Are Special Education Services Widely Available?
Nearly all countries have services that cater towards the needs of students with special needs, though they are often inadequate. In the United States, the Individuals with Disabilities Education Act (IDEA) guarantees free and appropriate public education for all children with disabilities, but not all schools comply with the IDEA.
In the UK, while special needs education is available, funding and resources can be limited. Elsewhere, special education services are even less comprehensive, and it may be difficult for some students with special needs to access the support they need.
11. How Accessible Is Higher Education?
In some countries, higher education is nearly universal, particularly in Scandinavian countries such as Norway and Sweden. In Norway, for example, more than 66 percent of students go on to pursue some form of post-secondary education, making it one of the highest rates in the world.
In the United States, the cost of college tuition may discourage people from attending, particularly those from marginalized backgrounds. In India, the rate of college attendance is low due to the need for competitive entrance exams and the prohibitively expensive cost of attending college.
12. Are Religion and Culture Incorporated in the School System?
In some countries, culture and religion are heavily incorporated into the school system. In Russia, Orthodox Church teachings are required in public schools, and religious studies are mandated in some places.
In Israel, Jewish studies are always part of the curriculum and Hebrew is mandated in all schools. In China, Confucianism is deeply intertwined with education, with Confucian values such as respect for authority and hard work being emphasized in classrooms.
13. Are There Different School Systems for Different Socioeconomic Groups?
In some countries, there are separate school systems for different socioeconomic groups. In the United States, for example, there are government-run public schools, which are usually attended by students from low-income households, and private schools, which are expensive and usually attended by students from wealthy backgrounds.
In countries like Brazil, there are also socioemotional schools, which usually cater to students from low-income households. These schools emphasize community engagement and career development, in addition to academics.
14. Do Schools Encourage Critical Thinking?
In some countries, critical thinking is seen as an important part of the curriculum, while it is often overlooked in others. In the United States, K-12 public schools emphasize critical thinking. Across Europe, certain countries such as Finland focus heavily on fostering critical thinking through hands-on projects and discussions.
In Russia, critical thinking is generally not emphasized in the school system, as the curriculum primarily focuses on memorization and tests.
15. What Measures Are Taken to Make Schools Safer?
In most countries, measures are taken to make schools safer for students. In the United States, for instance, schools are often equipped with metal detectors and security cameras, and drug-sniffing dogs are commonly used.
In European countries such as France, Germany, and the UK, police presence in schools is limited, but the risk of violence is considered to be much lower. Additionally, in many places, including the United States, schools have implemented anti-bullying programs, which seek to promote a safe and tolerant environment.
Conclusion
Overall, there is no one country that has a definitively “harder” school system than the rest. Each country has its own unique challenges that students must face. From stringent academic requirements to long school days, each country must weigh their own particular needs and values when it comes to their school system.
What is considered to be the “hardest” system is ultimately up to individual students, parents, and educators. What is certain is that all countries should strive to create an education system which promotes fairness, equity, and success for all of its students, no matter their background.