Friday, 05 June 2009

• The Global Classroom: School Around the World

   
  

  source

  As a future educator, I am interested in the differences in education systems around the world. I did some research to find out about the typical school day for kids around the world, including what they learn, how long they're in school every day and year, how they're disciplined, and how much money their teachers make, and how these factors compare to the United States education system. Hmmm, maybe I'll even find a job out of this search?
  

  Click here to read about a student in these countries.  

  Russia

  • The school year runs from Sept. 1 to May 25, plus extra days for exams. School hours are generally 8:30 a.m. to 3 p.m.
  • In Soviet times, all schoolchildren wore a standard uniform, but this rule was abolished in the early 1990s. Now, most schools do not mandate uniforms, and those that do, make them distinctive to the particular school.
  • Schools are allowed considerable leeway to set curriculum. Students typically study humanities, such as Russian literature and history. Many schools also specialize in languages, arts, science, or mathematics. Specialization can begin as early as Grade 1.

  Kenya

  • The school year - three 13-week terms, with one-month breaks - starts in January. Hours are typically 8 a.m. to 4 p.m.
  • Enrollment in primary school has dropped to 50 percent from 90 percent since fees were implemented in the early 1990s.
  • Uniforms are mandatory in government schools.
  • Government authorities closed more than 60 schools last term because of student protests over such things as heavy-handed discipline, corrupt teachers, and bad boarding-school food.

  Mexico

  • The school year runs from early September through late June.
  • Some large public schools host two sessions each day to accommodate all their students.
  • The government pays for secondary schooling of students with good enough grades to get in; many who are able to pay choose private schools.

  United States

  • The school year starts in mid-August or early September and runs through May or June.
  • Classes run six to seven hours a day.
  • School is mandatory until age 16, and roughly three-quarters of adults have high school diplomas.

  China

  • The school year begins Sept. 1 and ends in mid-July. Students go to school 7:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., with a two-hour lunch.
  • Uniforms are provided, not required.
  • China guarantees schooling up to Grade 9. Rural children often don't go beyond that, but the cities are fairly good at providing a high school education. Less than 2 percent of the population has a university degree.

  Spain

  • School runs late September or early October to June. Attendance is mandatory until age 16.
  • In their last two years of study, students take electives in sciences or humanities. English is mandatory.
  • Students must pass the selectividad exam to go to college, but after this year, each college will have its own entrance exam.

  Cambodia

  • School runs September to June.
  • The Cambodian literacy rate is 69 percent. For men it's 82 percent; for women, 58 percent.
  • 9 percent of the population attends high school; 90 percent attends primary school.

  Teacher Salaries
  Let's face it: no one gets into teaching for the money. But how exactly do global teacher salaries stack up?

  Click here to find out more about how teachers around the world get paid.
  

  South Africa: A newly qualified educators and those with less than 5 years experience earns R115 276 in South Africa, or about $14,360.59 in USD. (Wow and I thought we Americans were underpaid!) Teachers with 5 to 9 years experience have salaries between R124,038 and R146,087 per annum, or between $15,430.51 and $18,181.92. Teachers with 10 plus experience earn R146,088 plus ($18,171.98) per year. 

  Japan: Public school teachers are paid by the Prefectural Government. In 2005, the average salary for an elementary teacher is equivalent to $45,515 USD. Japanese teachers are the 5th best paid behind Luxembourg, Switzerland, Germany and Korea. Salary increases based on grade taught.

  Australia: Each state in Australia controls the salary of their educators. Teachers in New South Wales are currently among the best paid in Australia. In 2003 the salaries for teachers in NSW government schools were: Starting salary 4-year trained = $41,109; Starting salary 5-year trained = $43,225 Top of teacher salary scale = $58,692; Head teacher i.e. subject head = $66,534; Deputy Principal = from $64,977 to $76,923; Principal = from $77,915 to $95,101

  United Kingdom: There are two general categories for classroom teachers: main and upper. Different categories and pay levels are achieved by teachers based on experience and ongoing assessments of teachers. In England and Wales, the salaries range from $31,015.88- 45,363.95. In London, salaries range from $37,268.85-51,427.75.

  United States: California had the nation's highest average salary in 2002-03, at $55,693. States joining California in the top tier were Michigan, at $54,020; Connecticut, at $53,962; New Jersey, at $53,872; and the District of Columbia, at $53,194. Montana had the lowest average beginning salary in 2002-03, at $23,052. The other states in the bottom tier were Maine, at $24,631; South Dakota, at $24,311; North Dakota, at $23,591; and Arizona, at $23,548.
  
  Have you ever taught or been educated in another country? What was your experience like? Where would you like to teach/learn the most?
  

  • 7:08 PM
  • 1531 Views
  • 16 eProps
  • 8 Comments