Finland tops global education rankings

Finland topped a global ranking published by education company Pearson, followed by South Korea. The ranking combines results from international tests and data such as graduation rates from 2006 to 2010.

According to Michael Barber, chief education adviser at Pearson, the countries at the top of the rankings offer teachers a high status and have a "culture" of education.

According to the BBC, international comparisons in education have become increasingly important and the latest rankings are based on a range of international test results combined with other measures of education systems, such as the number of people going to university.

Education superpowers Finland and South Korea top the rankings, followed by three high-performing Asian education systems: Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

Finland and South Korea top global education rankings. Pictured: Parents in South Korea pray for their children to do well on exams.
(Photo: BBC)

The UK's education system was ranked sixth, at the top of an above average group that included the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada and Ireland. This group was ahead of a middle-ranking group that included the US, Germany and France. At the bottom of the rankings were Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia.

The comparisons are based on tests taken every three or four years, in areas such as science, mathematics and literacy. The aim of the rankings is to provide a more nuanced view of educational achievement and create a database that will be updated.

Looking at the education systems that topped the rankings, the study concluded that spending on education is important, but not as important as having a culture that supports learning.

Accordingly, spending on education is easier to measure, but the more complex effects of social attitudes toward education can make a big difference.

The success of Asian countries in the rankings reflects the high value attached to education and the expectations of parents, which may continue to be a factor as families migrate to other countries, according to the report accompanying the rankings.

Looking at the top two countries in the rankings, Finland and South Korea, the report said there were big differences, but common factors were a shared belief in the importance of education and "fundamental moral goals".

The report also highlights the importance of high-quality teachers and the need to find ways to recruit the best teachers. This may be linked to teacher status and professional respect as well as pay. The rankings show that there is no clear link between higher relative pay and higher performance.

Research also shows that there are direct economic consequences of high- and low-performing education systems, especially in a globalized, skills-based economy.

Top 20 countries in the ranking

1. Finland
2. South Korea
3. Hong Kong
4. Japan
5. Singapore
6. England
7. Netherlands
8. New Zealand
9. Switzerland
10. Canada
11. Ireland
12. Denmark
13. Australia
14. Poland
15. Germany
16. Belgium
17. America
18. Hungary
19. Slovakia
20. Russia

According to (dantri.com.vn) - HL