In this article, we will take a look at the Countries With The Toughest Education In The World with insights into PISA Scores. If you wish to see our detailed analysis, you can go to 20 Countries With The Toughest Education In The World.
5. South Korea
PISA Score: 523
The Education System in South Korea boasts top-notch scores and relentless student focus, earning its reputation as one of the world’s most challenging. The intense pressure and cutthroat competition have cast a shadow, raising concerns about students’ mental health and well-being. South Koreans in 2022 poured a record-breaking 26 trillion won ($19.97 billion) into private education, even as the student population shrinks. Nearly eight in ten students leverage extra classes and resources to stay ahead.
4. Taiwan
PISA Score: 533
In Taiwan’s education system, students tackle eight classes daily, five or six days a week, while lugging heavy textbooks. Evenings and weekends aren’t off-limits either, with cram school filling those gaps. This non-stop grind extends beyond regular semesters, with 20-week terms and even summer and winter breaks dedicated to studying. This relentless focus on academic achievement has produced results, but whispers about student burnout and questionable work-life balance are growing louder.
3. Japan
PISA Score: 533
In Japan’s education system, students dive into six years of elementary school, followed by three years of junior and upper secondary school, all packed with rigorous content and high expectations. The pressure doesn’t stop there; entrance exams determine college fate, adding another layer of intensity. National/public universities in Japan are surprisingly affordable! Expect to pay around ¥500,000 for a year’s tuition, plus a one-time admission fee of roughly ¥300,000.
2. Macau
PISA Score: 535
Macau offers an array of schooling systems, as British, Chinese, and Portuguese styles coexist, each catering to its community. While there’s no one-size-fits-all national curriculum. 15 years of education are free for residents: three years of kindergarten followed by six years each of primary and secondary school. Historically, churches and cultural groups filled the education gap, leading to today’s diverse landscape. While this variety adds spice, schools are primarily self-directed, mainly relying on government subsidies.
1. Singapore
PISA Score: 560
In Singapore’s education system, success in school isn’t just about hitting benchmarks; it’s about constantly outperforming your peers. Gone are the days of simpler bell curves – the competition is fierce, and the pressure starts young, piling on from primary school through university. This push for academic excellence pays off: Singapore consistently boasts top rankings in global education. But that comes with a cost. Children face intense pressure from schools and classmates, leading many to seek professional help to manage the daily grind. Exam periods become anxiety-laden battlegrounds, leaving both kids and parents stressed and stretched thin.
Disclosure: None. You can also take a look at the 12 Asian Countries With The Best Education System and the 17 Countries With The Best Education In Europe.
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