Have you ever wondered which education system in the world is the best? This is a question many of us ask, and the answers can vary depending on the criteria we consider. In this article, we will look at some of the top education systems globally, analyzing various success indicators. In the end, we will also refer to the Polish education system.

If you’re interested in the Erasmus program or studying abroad, we encourage you to check out our series of guides titled “Kierunek: Świat.” Each article in this series focuses on a different country, presenting its education system, cost of living, and popular scholarships available in that country.

Ranking Education Systems

In rankings assessing the level of education, such as those by the World Economic Forum, Finland, Singapore, and Canada have been leading for years. Importantly, all these countries achieve high scores in international tests, such as PISA (Program for International Student Assessment), which evaluate students’ skills in reading, mathematics, and science.

The Canadian Education System – Diversity and Support

The Canadian education system has long been recognized as one of the best in the world, and many of its features set it apart. Below are the most distinctive characteristics of the system:

Approach to Teachers:

• Autonomy and Flexibility: The Canadian education system gives teachers significant autonomy in choosing teaching methods and adapting programs to students’ needs. This flexibility allows for an individualized approach to each student, increasing teaching effectiveness and helping achieve better results. This was frequently mentioned by the 2023 Teacher of the Year, Radosław Potrac, in his interview with us.
• Innovative Teaching Methods: The Canadian education system integrates modern technologies and innovative teaching methods. Modern educational tools are commonly used in schools to help students better absorb knowledge and develop skills. Using technology in education prepares young people for the challenges of the modern world and the job market.
• High Qualifications of Teachers: Canadian teachers must undergo rigorous training and are well-compensated, attracting the best candidates to the profession. High requirements for teachers translate into their professionalism and dedication, which positively impacts the quality of education.

Approach to Students:

• Equality and Accessibility: The Canadian education system places a huge emphasis on equality and accessibility, ensuring that all children, regardless of their social background, have an equal start. Schools are funded by the state budget, ensuring a uniform level of education across the country. The absence of financial barriers allows every child access to high-quality teaching.
• Inclusiveness: The education system in Canada is highly inclusive. This means it is tailored to the needs of all students, including those with disabilities. Canadian schools place great importance on integrating students of various abilities, helping them develop at their own pace and to the best of their abilities. Such inclusiveness fosters a society based on cooperation and mutual respect.
• Strong Psychological Support and Career Counseling: Canadian schools offer an extensive system of psychological support and career counseling, helping students cope with school and life challenges. As a result, students receive not only academic education but also support in personal and career development. This holistic model of education promotes the comprehensive development of young people.

The Best Education System in the World? Certainly Among the Leaders

The result of the Canadian approach is high scores in international tests. The Canadian education system achieves high results in international rankings, such as PISA. Canadian students consistently rank among the top in reading, mathematics, and science skills. These results are proof of the effectiveness of the Canadian education system and its ability to prepare students for future challenges.

The Canadian education system combines the best features: equality, inclusiveness, high teacher qualifications, innovative teaching methods, and strong psychological support and career counseling. These elements together make it recognized as one of the best in the world. Thanks to its flexibility and focus on the holistic development of students, Canada serves as a model for other countries striving for excellence in education.

Is the Finnish Education System the Best in the World?

We have already written an extensive article about the Finnish education system. Undoubtedly, it has long been recognized as one of the best in the world. Here are the characteristic features of the Finnish education system:

Approach to Teachers:

• Equality and Accessibility: All schools are funded by the state budget, eliminating differences in education quality. As a result, Finnish schools have a very uniform level, preventing the talent drain phenomenon in specific regions and the migration of teachers to the private sector.
• Teacher Training: The long and demanding process of pedagogical education ensures that teachers are well-prepared and motivated. Teacher training is fully funded by the state. In the Finnish system, admission to pedagogical studies is very difficult and requires excellent exam results.
• Individual Approach: Teachers have great freedom in teaching methods, allowing for an individualized approach to each student. These solutions are less stressful for both students and teachers, aiming to prevent burnout and exhaustion. The system focuses on ensuring a child is ready to learn when they reach emotional maturity. According to the system’s assumptions, at that point, most children will discover their passions without issues. Teachers typically work 4 hours a day, with an additional 2 hours per week dedicated to professional development. They are also not burdened with the pressure of completing a curriculum or excessive bureaucracy.

Approach to Students:

• No Pressure on Tests: Instead of numerical grades, more detailed feedback is used, reducing student stress. Homework is less frequent and assessed differently. During the first six years of education, schools do not emphasize the child’s academic success. The average number of learning hours is less than in most European countries.
• Paid Tutoring is Forbidden: Each student receives additional help with learning as part of school activities. Educators believe that school should be the only source of learning.
• Free School Transportation: Transportation to school is free.
• Less Time in School: Finnish children spend less time in school than in other countries. On average, they attend classes for 706 hours per year.

Singapore’s Education System – Discipline and Innovations

Singapore is another country that achieves excellent results in international rankings. We have described the education system in this country in an extensive article. In some respects, this system is the best in the world, but it differs significantly from what Scandinavia, Canada, or the USA offer. Here are the characteristic features of the education system in Singapore:

Approach to Teachers:

• High Standards and Trust: Like Finland and Canada, Singapore treats the teaching profession with high regard and provides good pay. Becoming a teacher is a complicated and lengthy process, requiring many criteria to be met. In Singapore, teachers are seen as shaping the future of society, tasked with providing young people opportunities to develop so the country maintains its position as a leader in modernity and competitiveness. Entering the teaching profession requires meeting very high standards and prerequisites. Recruitment into teaching in Singapore is often described as “aggressive,” with only the best candidates considered.

Approach to Students:

• High Academic Standards: Focus on mathematics and sciences leads to high international test scores.
• Innovations and Technology:  Integration of modern technologies in the teaching process.
• Rigorous Testing: The system is based on tests and rankings, which can increase stress but also motivation to learn.

Education in Poland – Prospects and Challenges

The Polish education system also has its strengths but faces many challenges. Compared to other countries, Poland performs well in international PISA tests, especially in reading and mathematics. However, there are several areas that could be improved:

• Teachers: Although Polish teachers are well-educated, their salaries and social status are relatively low. It’s worth noting that the status of teachers is a crucial issue, as observed in other education systems.
• Emphasis on Tests: The grading and testing system is very intensive, which can lead to stress and burnout for both students and teachers.
• School Infrastructure: Many schools need modernization and better equipment.
• Outdated Teaching Methods: Many Polish schools still use outdated teaching methods based on lectures and rote learning. Additionally, there is a lack of interactive and practical classes that engage students and develop their skills. Modern teaching methods, such as group projects or problem-based learning, are rare.
• Poor Collaboration with Parents: Many teachers complain about poor collaboration with parents, who are often not involved in their children’s education. Furthermore, there is a lack of effective communication between schools and parents, leading to misunderstandings and lack of support in the educational process.

What Can We Learn from Others?

Inspirations from education systems like those in Finland, Singapore, and Canada show that the key to success is investing in teachers, an individualized approach to students, and innovative teaching methods. Introducing some of these elements could benefit the Polish education system as well. As we wrote in our article, inspiration can also come from our close neighbor, Estonia.

There is no single “best” education system, but we can learn from those that achieve success in various areas. Both Finland, Singapore, and Canada have much to offer in terms of innovation and teaching approaches. Poland, in turn, has a solid foundation on which to build a better education system.

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Sources:

1. Światowe Forum Ekonomiczne, Ranking Systemów Edukacji, 2021
2. Program for International Student Assessment (PISA), OECD, 2018
3. Finnish Lessons: What Can the World Learn from Educational Change in Finland? – Pasi Sahlberg
4. Global Education Monitoring Report – UNESCO, 2022
5. Ministerstwo Edukacji Narodowej, Polska, 2023
6. Ministerstwo Edukacji Kanady, Raporty Edukacyjne, 2023
7. Education at a Glance – OECD, 2022

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