Spending on education
The article describes the teacher/ pupil ratio for different countries, according to a newly published report by OECD.
According to the report, Japanese elementary schools had an average of 28.8 students per class, while France had 22.6, Germany 22.2 Australia 25.0 and Portugal, 19.1. The average number of students per classroom in Korea was 35.7 for elementary schools, the largest of all surveyed OECD countries.
The size for junior high was 37.1, far larger than the OECD average of 23.7.
The interesting number, so, is that Korea spent 8.2 percent of the gross domestic product on public education, higher than 7.1 percent spent last year.
It is higher than the OECD average at 5.6 percent, and compared to 6.1 percent in Canada, 5.3 in Germany, 7.3 percent in the United States. The high percentage derived from lofty private spending, with 41 percent of the entire education expenses paid for by parents or private education foundations and organizations. The remaining 59 percent came from the government.
Now, let's comment here. Education is the future and many countries have realised this. A higher percentage number does not necessarily translate into higher a higher total, since this is dependent on the overall size of GDP. But it is an indication of the focus of a country.
Talking about a teacher/ pupil ratio, a high ratio might not be positive, overall, but, and this is a big but, it also depends on the "art of teaching". Is it a team-based teaching or a memorising type - do pupils work together, or is the teacher just standing in front of them and they have to repeat and repeat and repeat until they get it? In addition, if the teacher is not capable, the smallest class won't get it. It is the level of engagement that the teacher is able to provide - so a small class can be extremely boring, while a big one can be an extremely good ground for learning.
According to the report, Japanese elementary schools had an average of 28.8 students per class, while France had 22.6, Germany 22.2 Australia 25.0 and Portugal, 19.1. The average number of students per classroom in Korea was 35.7 for elementary schools, the largest of all surveyed OECD countries.
The size for junior high was 37.1, far larger than the OECD average of 23.7.
The interesting number, so, is that Korea spent 8.2 percent of the gross domestic product on public education, higher than 7.1 percent spent last year.
It is higher than the OECD average at 5.6 percent, and compared to 6.1 percent in Canada, 5.3 in Germany, 7.3 percent in the United States. The high percentage derived from lofty private spending, with 41 percent of the entire education expenses paid for by parents or private education foundations and organizations. The remaining 59 percent came from the government.
Now, let's comment here. Education is the future and many countries have realised this. A higher percentage number does not necessarily translate into higher a higher total, since this is dependent on the overall size of GDP. But it is an indication of the focus of a country.
Talking about a teacher/ pupil ratio, a high ratio might not be positive, overall, but, and this is a big but, it also depends on the "art of teaching". Is it a team-based teaching or a memorising type - do pupils work together, or is the teacher just standing in front of them and they have to repeat and repeat and repeat until they get it? In addition, if the teacher is not capable, the smallest class won't get it. It is the level of engagement that the teacher is able to provide - so a small class can be extremely boring, while a big one can be an extremely good ground for learning.
posted by Andreas @ 7:23 pm
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