27/11/2012

UK Education 6th In Developed World

The UK education system has been ranked 6th best in the developed world by a new global league table.

The ranking system by education firm Pearson shows Finland and South Korea holding first and second place, respectively.

The table was put together using international test results and data between 2006 and 2010.

Countries that are successful on the list are those that have a "culture" of education and those which elevate teachers to a high status in society.

Finland and South Korea are followed by three other Asia countries; Hong Kong, Japan and Singapore.

The UK is considered within the table as a single education system, rather than four devolved countries.

It is ranked above the Netherlands, New Zealand, Canada and the Republic of Ireland.

The UK is also above the United States, Germany, Russia and France.

Mexico, Brazil and Indonesia are at the lower end of the scale.

It is thought the success of Asian countries reflects a culture of respect for and value attached to the education system and the expectations of society and parents.

The report says in the case of Finland and South Korea a common factor is a shared social belief in the importance of education and its "underlying moral purpose".

(IT/GK)

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