4 Asian countries in Top 5 best education systems

According to a report developed by The Economist and published by Pearson, four out of Top 5 countries with best education systems are Asian. However, India and China do not figure in the list.

The list ranks Top 40 countries with best education systems, based on intensive research, international test results and data such as graduation rates between 2006 and 2010.

Finland tops the list followed by four Asian countries – South Korea at #2, Hong Kong at #3, Japan at #4, and Singapore at #5. The United Kingdom occupies the sixth position on the list followed by Netherlands, New Zealand, Switzerland, Canada, Ireland, Denmark, Australia, Poland, Germany, and Belgium, respectively. USA ranks at #17. Hungary, Slovakia and Russia also made it to the list of Top 20 countries with best education systems.

The report concluded that processes that use resources are more important, when it comes to cognitive skills and educational attainments. Other factors that were found important in promoting better educational outcomes were:

• culture that supports education,
• good teachers that are well-respected by the society, and
• availability of right information for choosing the right school

The report has also been an eye-opener in some ways. Finland, which is at the top, has a relaxed and flexible education system. While South Korea, which comes a close second, is much more test-driven and rigid and asks students to put in extraordinary work time. However, both these countries develop high-quality teachers, value accountability and have a moral mission that underlies educational efforts.