Moscow, August 31 - "Vesti.Ekonomika". Almost everyone wants to get a good education. Parents strive to find the best school for their children, some choose good teachers. And some do something completely radical - they change their country of residence in order to gain access to a good education.
Traditionally, Asian and Scandinavian countries are considered to be the best in terms of education.
Below we will talk about countries where education is considered the best in the world, including because significant funds are allocated from the country’s budget for education.
1. South Korea
Japan and South Korea are the main competitors for the top spot in the ranking of countries with the best education.
However, South Korea is currently ahead of Japan, despite the fact that Japan is investing heavily in education.
Students in South Korea go to school seven days a week.
For 2018, a budget of 429 trillion won (US$382.6 billion) was proposed for education, up 7.1% from the 400.5 trillion won allocated for education in 2017.
The literacy rate in the country is 97.9%, of which 99.2% are men, 96.6% are women.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $35,938.37 in 2018
2. Japan
This country is a center for the development of technology, and it is here that young people receive one of the best types of education in the world, since education in the country provides not only deep knowledge, but also experience in applying it in practice. GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $39,002.22 in 2017
As Prime Minister Shinzo Abe told the media, Japan will allocate almost 4 trillion yen ($35.6 billion) for education in 2018.
3. Singapore
This country is famous for its strong primary education, which is why it ranks third in the ranking of countries with the best education in the world.
The 2017 education budget in Singapore is estimated at S$12.7 billion.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $85,535.38 in 2017
4. Hong Kong
The school system in Hong Kong is very similar to British education.
Primary, secondary and higher education are highly ranked internationally.
Teaching is conducted in Chinese and English.
The country's literacy rate is 94.6%.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $56,054.92 in 2017
The education budget for the financial year 2017-2018 was HK$88,507 million.
5. Finland
Finland is a country whose education is traditionally considered one of the best, but it is losing out to its Asian competitors.
The annual education budget amounted to 13,063 million euros in 2016.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) – $40,585.72 in 2017
6. UK
Education in the UK is quite difficult to evaluate, since local administration plays a large role, under which education issues are dealt with in each individual region.
The authorities of Scotland, England, Wales and Northern Ireland individually assess the state of education, and in addition, manage education based on regional interests rather than being guided by uniform legislation for the entire kingdom.
However, experts rate education in the UK as one of the best in Europe, and the country ranks sixth in the world.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) – $39,753.24 in 2017
The annual education budget was £84.9 billion in 2017.
7. Canada
Teaching is in English and French. The country's literacy rate is very high - 99% (for both men and women).
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $44,017.59 in 2017
8. Netherlands
The Netherlands has one of the best education systems in Europe, but experts note a number of shortcomings, in particular insufficient investment and poor management of higher education.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $48,472.54 in 2017
9. Ireland
The country's literacy rate is 99% for both men and women.
Education in the country is free at both primary and secondary levels.
However, students from the European Union must pay for education at Irish universities.
The Irish government allocates €8.759 billion to education annually.
10. Poland
The Polish Ministry of Education deals with all issues of education.
Poland has one of the best education systems in Europe, and the country is in the top ten in the world.
In 2017, 16 billion zlotys were allocated only for the development of higher education in the country.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $27,216.44
11. Denmark
The Danish education system includes primary, secondary, higher education, as well as vocational retraining and retraining.
Children under 16 years of age receive compulsory education. Further education is not mandatory, but 82% of school leavers strive to obtain it.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $46,682.51 in 2017
12. Germany
Germany strives to build one of the best education systems in the world. Educational issues are resolved at the local level.
Kindergartens are optional, but schooling is compulsory for all children.
In addition, German universities are considered among the best in the world and regularly rank high in international rankings.
GDP per capita (purchasing power parity) - $45,229.25 in 2017
13. Russia
Experts note that Russia has many opportunities to improve its performance in the ranking, as education in the country faces a number of problems.
However, the literacy rate is very high - almost 100%, one of the highest in the world.
The education budget in 2018 amounted to 663 billion rubles.
For most parents, the importance of education is unquestionable. In a world where everything is changing rapidly, experts assure us that this is one of the best investments we can make. But not all countries pay due attention to the educational system. The level of quality of education around the world varies greatly and largely depends on the extent to which this area is a priority for government policy.
You can find out which countries provide the best school education from the results of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), a test that evaluates the skills and knowledge of schoolchildren around the world. The test takes place every three years and is open to students aged 15 years. Students' knowledge is assessed in 4 areas: reading, mathematics, natural sciences and computer literacy.
5 countries with the best education in the world
Canada
The Canadian education system is decentralized. Each province and territory has control over the curriculum. Canada has a strict selection of teachers and teaching practices. Interaction with family and development of technology have also influenced the advanced nature of education in the country.
Finland
Schools have the right to choose their own teaching materials. Teachers must have a master's degree. Teachers in Finland are free in how they organize their classes.
Japan
The Japanese education system has long focused on preparing students for future employment and participation in society. In Japan, children are forced to achieve results to the best of their abilities. The Japanese curriculum is known for its rigor and density. Students in Japan learn a lot about world cultures, and the curriculum focuses on practical activities.
Poland
In 2000, Poland received a PISA score below average, and already in 2012 it was included in the 10 best educational systems in the world. To do this, the country got rid of the structure of the education system that existed under the communist regime. In addition, Poland has expanded teacher training to focus on practical skills and economic education.
Singapore
In its more than 50 years as an independent country, Singapore has gone through three educational reforms. First, literacy has improved in Singapore. The government sought to provide the world market with cheap labor and understood that workers must be literate. The next stage of educational reforms was to develop a quality school system. In Singapore, schoolchildren were divided into streams. Curricula and materials were developed for each stream separately. By 2008, the third stage of reforms began. Schools have focused on deep learning for students. Art lessons have been added to the school curriculum. Funding for teacher education has increased significantly.
Education in the countries of the world differs in many factors: the pedagogical system, the form of the educational process, the funds that people invest in learning, etc. depends on the general level of development of the state. Different countries have their own educational systems. 
- Various East Asian countries are lagging behind others. In other countries, the level of educational achievement is significantly higher than here. However, a culture of responsibility and hard work is spreading among stakeholders. In European countries, such a culture practically does not develop. So for a resident of developed countries, studying in East Asian countries is not economically profitable.
- The Scandinavian countries, which for many years held a leading position in attracting foreigners who want to study here, have lost their advantages.
- The positions of countries such as Russia, Israel and , have increased in the ranking of the prospects of the educational system.
- Studying in European countries, such as and, has been considered very promising for many years.
- Countries that are called "developing" have improved their positions in recent years. We are talking about countries such as Mexico and Indonesia.
Study in Europe
It has always been believed that if a person has received a diploma from a European university in a developed country, then he is a promising specialist with a prestigious profession.
Universities in Europe provide students with knowledge that is fundamental. What does it mean? Students receive a theoretical basis that will allow them to competently apply the acquired knowledge in practice. Thus, the student develops professional skills during the period of his studies. It is for this reason that graduates of famous European educational institutions have always been valued as professionals in any country in the world.
In addition to fundamental information, European universities provide students with knowledge aimed at personal development. Students' horizons and worldview broaden.
The following trend can be observed: graduates of higher educational institutions do not stop pursuing their studies even after receiving a diploma. This is explained by the fact that over the years as students they are instilled with a love of knowledge.
As a rule, the best universities in Europe are located in very beautiful cities. Each such city has its own unique history and architecture.
Usually, when a student graduates from such a university, he knows at least one foreign language. Is there a possibility of free education in Europe? Yes, I have. You can study on a budget in 2019 in the following countries:
It is profitable to go to Europe to study, because after receiving a diploma a person can almost immediately find a job. And this will allow him to obtain a residence permit in this country. In addition, the student will have the opportunity to work part-time during the study period. Traveling is also one of the main advantages of studying in Europe. A student visa allows a person to travel to other European countries without obtaining any additional documents. The time a student spends traveling will allow him to gain invaluable cultural experience.
What requirements do European educational institutions put forward for applicants?
- The applicant must be an adult (over 18 years old).
- You must provide a certificate confirming that the person knows a foreign language. What language exactly do you need to know? The one where teaching is conducted. In most cases this is English.
- The certificate issued after graduation must have a fairly high average score.
- In some cases, you need to provide the admissions committee with an essay on a given topic.
- All documents submitted by the applicant must be translated into English. Translation into the official language of the country in which the person will study is also allowed.
- There is the possibility of a remote admission procedure. In this case, all documents must be sent by mail.
Interesting facts about European education
- The cost of studying in Russia and other CIS countries often exceeds the cost of studying in other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Germany or France.
- The oldest European university is the University of Bologna in Italy.
- The University of Tromsø (Norway) is considered the northernmost university in the world, and its research centers are located above the Arctic Circle.
Education in foreign countries differs from European education.
American education system
It is impossible to talk about a unified state educational system in America, since it does not exist. Although almost all schools and other educational institutions are government-funded, each state has its own education board. It is this council that deals with all issues related to the educational process, namely the development of a curriculum, a list of compulsory subjects, etc.
But this is not a reason not to receive it. Yes, not all Americans can afford to study at higher educational institutions, but there are also colleges where studying is significantly cheaper.
In order for a child in an American family to go to college after high school, parents begin saving money many years in advance. But most American students already have a part-time job during their studies, so after entering an educational institution, they pay for their studies themselves.
For those students who do not want to work, but want to have a diploma, a student loan system has been developed. When a person finishes studying, he will not only receive his diploma, but also a debt burden.
German education system
In Germany, the main educational principle is to provide the student with complete academic freedom. What does this mean? After graduating from school, the student himself determines which subjects he wants to take. After he receives a higher education diploma, these subjects will be indicated there.
What groups are higher education institutions in Germany divided into?
Students study here for 4 years. In some universities the period of study is even shorter, 3 years.
In Germany, a one and a half year internship is provided for specialists with higher education. When a person successfully passes it, he will have to pass a state exam and only after that will receive a diploma.
English education system
Cambridge University is a UK university, one of the oldest (second after Oxford) and largest in the country
To study here you will have to pay a lot. But do not despair, because many UK universities provide students with a long-term loan system.
Japanese education system
In Japan, specialists who understand mathematics and technology are most valued. The state invests sufficient sums in the technical sphere for its development.
Education in Antigua and Barbuda
Today there are 2 schools in Antigua, the focus of which is medicine. The literacy rate here is 90%. Children go to school when they are 5 years old. They study until they are 16 years old. School education in Antigua and Barbuda is free. But there are not only public schools, but also private schools. They can be divided into the following groups: general, technical, pedagogical and special.
As for higher educational institutions, there are few of them here. Their education is conservative.
In the 19th century, the higher nobility had very interesting customs. You could be ugly, burry or short, but no one would dare to make fun of these shortcomings. But ignorance or stupidity was not forgiven. It was customary to openly ridicule "lack of intelligence" if such a problem was not caused by illness. Today, stupidity, fortunately, is also not held in high esteem. We are sure that you strive to be an educated person, and we want to offer you 5 countries where you can get an excellent education.
1. England
So, you've arrived in Bond's homeland. James Bond. Studying in England is traditionally one of the best in the world, so you made the right choice. And for students from Russia, very interesting learning features are presented here. But in the process of collecting documents and studying the conditions of admission and residence, many questions may arise. In addition, adaptation to an unfamiliar country is a rather difficult stage.
To resolve such difficult issues, the company opened its office in London. Target will help you navigate the cost of training and choose the best language courses according to your financial capabilities. You also receive direct contact without intermediaries, which will help resolve any issues that arise after arriving in the country.
You can get education in any specialty at 120 universities. The most popular is the humanitarian direction, the cost of which ranges from 12,000 to 14,000 pounds sterling. Medical education is considered the most expensive, costing 20,000–22,000 pounds per year. This is due to the fact that students spend a lot of time in laboratories during their studies.
The learning process is very interesting. Unlike our universities, most of the training is devoted to practical learning in groups, rather than communication with the teacher. In addition, you can choose optional items to suit your taste, which will be more interesting to you.
If you are interested in this company and the prospects it offers, then you can meet in person with representatives at the Education Abroad exhibition in Tishinka on October 13-14, 2017.
2. Norway
A country where prisoners are kept in better conditions than the homes of half the world's population. Students from all over the world come to Norway for a European-level education. A huge advantage is that, regardless of your citizenship, you can get education in this country absolutely free, because the country’s educational system is fully financed from the state budget. The only possible fee for international students is fees of 30-60 euros per semester.
There are 8 universities and 36 colleges in the country (16 of them are private). The most popular universities are the University of Oslo in the capital and Bergen and Stavanger. The University of Oslo has educated many minds, and five graduates of this educational institution are Nobel laureates. By the way, the Nobel Prize was awarded for 42 years in this temple of science.
The downside of studying in Norway is that accommodation is very, very expensive. On average, utilities, food, rental housing and other related expenses will cost from 1,000-1,500 euros. But, given the high level of wages and social support from the state, there is always a solution to this problem.
3. Brazil
Are you looking for a warmer country, do you love football and slender girls with excellent shape? Turn your eyes to Brazil. Few people know that the country, which is famous for its beaches and carnivals, also provides free education. Public universities will not require anything other than an application fee upon admission. Students also pay for the hostel out of their own pockets.
But there are also difficulties. The training takes place in Portuguese, and in order to start classes you will need to provide the results of a language proficiency test (successfully passed, of course). In addition, there is a fierce intellectual competition for vacant places at the university, so you have to show extensive knowledge in the entrance exam. But after you pass all the tests and throw the ring of omnipotence into the abyss of Mordor, all scholarships and support programs will become available to you. The most popular are faculties that provide the opportunity to obtain legal, medical, computer or engineering education.
Education in Brazil is worthwhile if you plan to live there in the future. The motivation is that there is a catastrophic shortage of good specialists with higher education in this country, which ensures the availability of jobs and good wages.
4. Switzerland
Welcome to the most peaceful country on the planet, which can provide world-class education. Switzerland provides absolute equality in tuition fees. For its citizens and citizens of other countries, it is absolutely the same, but foreigners who want to study in this country must pass annual exams in the city of Friborg.
To enter a Swiss university, it is not necessary to speak French or German, because universities themselves will teach languages throughout the entire educational process, and language preparatory programs are absolutely free. Do you know English? Feel free to choose the Anglo-American curriculum.
If you decide to choose hospitality training in Switzerland, they will provide you with excellent training programs to choose from! Caesar Ritz College (yes, that same hotel chain) will be a great option for you.
By the way, for Russian citizens, studying in Switzerland is very affordable: all you need is a certificate of secondary school education, and the result of the Oxford English Test must be at least 50 points.
Hotel management training services are provided by HIM (Hotel Institut Montreux) and SHMS (Swiss Hotel Management School) schools in Montreux. These educational institutions offer a multi-vector training program according to Swiss and American standards, which will allow the graduate to easily find a job in their specialty both in Europe and in the USA. Among other things, school programs provide the opportunity to work in management positions and open up wide opportunities for any type of entrepreneurship, not just hotel business.
Interesting statistics:
89% of graduates occupy management positions or open their own business;
73% of graduates work in the restaurant or hotel sector;
96% of graduates are employed in luxury hotels.
5. Finland
Finland can be an excellent option to get an education in Europe. The excellent level of education attracts many students from all over the world, and in most universities it is free. The exception is courses in English.
Many students are in a hurry to obtain a residence permit. This is quite simple to do: you only need to provide documents from the university and prove that you can spend 560 euros per month on accommodation. This amount is greatly underestimated and does not reflect reality, because depending on the chosen place of study, you can spend from 700 to 1,000 euros per month.
An interesting fact is that the training time is not limited in any way. You can complete educational courses in two years, or you can stretch this process up to 7 years.
To work while studying, you will have to learn Finnish - one of the most difficult European languages. But, as a student at a Finnish educational institution, you will receive significant discounts on public transport, books and even trips to the cinema.
Image copyright AFP
Singapore tops the table, Hong Kong is in second place, and Ghana is at the bottom of the ranking.
“For the first time, we have a truly global view of the quality of education,” said OECD education director Andreas Schleicher.
“Our vision was to give as many countries as possible - rich and poor alike - the opportunity to compare their education levels with world leaders, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and see what the long-term economic benefits of improving the quality of education would be ", he added.
In the UK, according to research, one in five teenagers leaves school without receiving a basic level of general education. The OECD finds that improving the quality of secondary education will inject trillions of dollars into the British economy.
The OECD rankings were based on test results of 15-year-old schoolchildren in mathematics and science. And the resulting educational map of the world provides a much broader picture than the OECD's Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), which is limited to wealthy industrial countries.
This ranking, covering more than a third of the world's countries, shows the state of education in countries such as Iran, South Africa, Peru and Thailand.
The United States is once again inferior to successful European countries in the quality of schooling. Vietnam is also ahead of the United States.
The researchers' findings will be presented at the World Education Forum in South Korea next week, where the United Nations is planning a conference on improving global education by 2030.
Success for everyone
The last five places are Oman, Morocco, Honduras, South Africa and Ghana.
Image caption OECD Director of Education Programs believes that by raising the level of education, poor countries will improve their future“When you go to an Asian school, you will encounter teachers who expect high results from every student. There is a lot of enthusiasm, focus and consistency,” says OECD director of education programs Andreas Schleicher. “These countries know how to attract the most talented teachers.”
The OECD report's authors, Eric Hanushek of Stanford University and Luger Wessman of the University of Munich, say educational attainment is a powerful predictor of a country's long-term well-being.
“Bad education policies and poor education are leaving many countries in a permanent state of economic recession,” the report’s authors say.
Top 40 countries for knowledge in the field of exact sciences
1. Singapore
2. Hong Kong
3. South Korea
4. Japan (shared)
4. Taiwan (shared)
6. Finland
7. Estonia
8. Switzerland
9. Netherlands
10. Canada
11. Poland
12. Vietnam
13. Germany
14. Australia
15. Ireland
16. Belgium
17. New Zealand
18. Slovenia
19. Austria
20. UK
21. Czech Republic
23. France
24. Latvia
25. Norway
26. Luxembourg
27. Spain
28. Italy (shared)
28. USA (shared)
30. Portugal
32. Hungary
33. Iceland
34. Russia
35. Sweden
36. Croatia
37. Slovakia
38. Ukraine
39. Israel
