The education system in every country around the globe varies to a significant proportion. To date, arguments like the minimum school starting age or the perfect length for a school day is debatable. Hence, all country’s education policies differ to a certain extent.
Education is vital; it can single-handedly determine where a nation’s present and future stands. However, it doesn’t have to be boring. Education goes beyond books and buildings. There are so many remarkable things you don’t know about schools from the world apart from differing curriculums. Below, we have mentioned some interesting facts about the global education system.
- Students in China get the most homework. One reason behind this is China’s substantial population and limited resources. It is different in provinces but similar in the country. There is a common belief that constantly examining students can help judge who deserves the resources and who doesn’t. However, some Chinese also believe that doing more and more homework can make a student perfect.
- Phuma Changtang houses the world’s highest primary school, approximately 5,373 meters above sea level. It is closest to the sky and even 200 meters higher than the base camp of Mount Qomolangma, popularly known as Mount Everest.
- America spends the most on education. Reports show that the U.S. spends nearly 5% of its GDP on education. It also ranks 5th in terms of the number of college-degree holders. U.S. schools and colleges also have one of the most efficient virtual education systems. It explains why it is also known to offer the best EdD higher education online degrees to teachers.
- The Philippines has a school made out of recycled pop bottles. It is called the bottle school, constructed with nearly 9000 bottles. How cool is that? But it wasn’t easy to build such a brilliant, eco-friendly structure. In reality, it took hundreds of volunteers and months to construct the school. All volunteers used sand, water, and straw to keep the bottles steady and used a cement-like structure to stack the bottles on top of each other.
- Students in South Korea have to stay behind to tidy classrooms after a lesson is over. Unlike in schools in the other part of the world, students in South Korea cannot run out the moment their last class ends. They have to sweep, vacuum, and take out all the trash from their classrooms before heading home. It is a great initiative to teach young minds about the significance of cleanliness from an early age.
- Schools in Russia always commence on the 1st of September (knowledge day), regardless of the weekend or weekday. A famous tradition includes all the 11th graders holding hands with the 1st graders and ringing the ceremonial bell first thing in the morning.
- Lunchtime is part of the curriculum in France. Schools in France reserve 1-2 hours for teaching students about food preparation and etiquette. Every other country should adopt this tradition since developing food manners in children is highly crucial!
- Finland has the highest school-starting age; Finnish students start school at the age of seven. You heard that right! Seven is also the oldest age to start school around the globe.
- Only the town of Provins requires students to wear uniforms in France. School uniforms are not mandatory in any other part of the country.
- America has the world’s oldest teacher, Agnes Zhelesnik, who is 101 years old.
- The City Montessori School in Lucknow, India, has more than 56,000 students. The highest number of students enrolled in any school around the world.
- The King’s School in Canterbury, England, is the world’s oldest boarding school founded in 597 AD. Despite being an institute from ancient times, the King’s School is still the top-most ranked school in England, providing top-notch modern education.
- South Korea has the longest school day. Students have double shifts every day. Typically, the first shift lasts from 8 am till 4 pm. That means South Korean spend around 12-13 hours every day at school.
- Holland’s education policy directs children to begin school the day they turn four. So, admissions are open year-round in the country, and there is always someone new in class.
- Countries in South America and Europe have the highest literacy rate, about 90-100%.
- Kids in Japan are the most disciplined and well-behaved students. There are no janitors or cleaners in classrooms or cafeterias. Children clean everything themselves and also serve their lunch.
Wrapping up
So, how many of the facts mentioned above did you know? It is fascinating to see how much difference there is in the world. Something you might consider normal might be something entirely unusual in some other part of the globe.
It is crucial to discuss these exciting facts amongst each other to understand different perspectives of the world. If anything, it will make us respectful and much more well-informed.