6 Minute English cover image

6 Minute English

Which country has the best schools?

Jan 16, 2025
Delve into the intriguing world of global education systems, examining the latest PISA rankings. Discover how smaller nations are outperforming larger ones, with Singapore leading the way. Explore key factors that contribute to academic success, including Estonia's inclusive approach. The discussion also touches on the darker aspects of the wellness industry, revealing manipulative practices within global yoga networks. This captivating blend of education and social issues invites listeners to reflect on deeper societal challenges.
06:33

Podcast summary created with Snipd AI

Quick takeaways

  • The PISA rankings reveal that smaller countries often excel in education compared to larger nations, challenging the metrics of comparison.
  • Equitable access to education for all students, emphasized by Estonia's approach, significantly contributes to better overall educational outcomes in rankings.

Deep dives

PISA Rankings and Their Implications

The PISA rankings, conducted by the OECD every three years, aim to assess the effectiveness of education systems in teaching key subjects like maths, science, and reading. Despite their intention, the legitimacy of comparing diverse countries has sparked debate, particularly regarding the fairness of comparing large nations like the USA to smaller ones like Singapore. Results indicate that smaller countries often outperform their larger counterparts, which suggests that educational success may not solely depend on size but rather on the systems in place. For instance, while Singapore topped the reading rankings in 2022, larger Western European nations have struggled to keep pace with emerging superpowers like Estonia and Taiwan in educational outcomes.

Remember Everything You Learn from Podcasts

Save insights instantly, chat with episodes, and build lasting knowledge - all powered by AI.
App store bannerPlay store banner