BBC News: “China’s results in international education tests – which have never been published – are “remarkable”, says Andreas Schleicher, responsible for the highly-influential Pisa tests.
These tests, held every three years by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, measure pupils skills in reading, numeracy and science. Pisa tests – the Programme for International Student Assessment – have become the leading international benchmark. The findings indicate that China has an education system that is overtaking many Western countries. While there has been intense interest in Chinas economic and political development, this provides the most significant insight into how it is teaching the next generation. …
“Even in rural areas and in disadvantaged environments, you see a remarkable performance. “In particular, he said the test results showed the “resilience” of pupils to succeed despite tough backgrounds – and the “high levels of equity” between rich and poor pupils. …
In an attempt to get a representative picture, tests were taken in nine provinces, including poor, middle-income and wealthier regions. The Chinese government has so far not allowed the OECD to publish the actual data.But Mr Schleicher says the results reveal a picture of a society investing individually and collectively in education. On a recent trip to a poor province in China, he says he saw that schools were often the most impressive buildings. He says in the West, it is more likely to be a shopping centre. “You get an image of a society that is investing in its future, rather than in current consumption.
“There were also major cultural differences when teenagers were asked about why people succeeded at school.
“North Americans tell you typically its all luck. Im born talented in mathematics, or Im born less talented so Ill study something else.
“In Europe, its all about social heritage: My father was a plumber so Im going to be a plumber.
“In China, more than nine out of 10 children tell you: It depends on the effort I invest and I can succeed if I study hard.”They take on responsibility. They can overcome obstacles and say Im the owner of my own success, rather than blaming it on the system.”
via BBC News – China: The worlds cleverest country?.
To anyone who knows something about Chinese history, the results are not surprising at all. If, for over 1,500 years anyone – peasant, labourer, artisan, or scholar – who passed the right exams can become a magistrate, civil servant or governor; then passing exams and studying for them becomes ingrained, part of the tacit cultural norm. And despite two major revolutions, one to overthrow imperialism and the other to lift the masses, exams still play a key role in success. It is no surprise that eight of the nine top CCP leaders are engineers by training.
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