Education at Glance 2023

Education at Glance 2023

OECD Analysis

Ayagan Ayazhan

20-10-2

02.10.2023

Analysis of the OECD Report:

The OECD report casts a revealing spotlight on the landscape of compulsory education within its member nations. The focus is directed toward crucial aspects, including instructional hours, curriculum distribution, and the adaptability of educational systems. A compelling revelation emerges as we observe the substantial variation in total instructional hours, spanning from 5,245 hours in Poland to an impressive 11,000 hours in Australia. This substantial variance underscores the remarkable diversity in educational philosophies among OECD countries.

Additionally, the report highlights the meticulous allocation of instructional time within the curriculum. For instance, it's noteworthy that primary school students dedicate a significant 41% of their compulsory instruction time to core subjects like reading, writing, literature, and mathematics. However, this percentage takes a noticeable dip to 27% when we shift our gaze to lower secondary students. This shift indicates an intriguing recalibration of educational priorities as students progress through their academic journeys.

Furthermore, the report embarks on an exploration of the duration of primary and lower secondary education. The intriguing insight here is that primary education, on average, spans six years, though it can extend up to seven years in select countries. In contrast, lower secondary education generally covers three years but, interestingly, can stretch to six years in specific nations. The presence or absence of subjects with flexible timetables also adds to the intricate tapestry, offering a glimpse into distinct approaches to curriculum design across OECD member countries.

Shifting the focus to the commencement of formal education, the majority of OECD nations initiate primary education at the age of six. However, exceptions abound, with countries like Australia, England, New Zealand, and Scotland embarking on this journey at age five. This divergence underscores the importance of considering cultural and contextual factors when molding educational systems.

Lastly, the report thoughtfully examines the distribution of instruction days and holidays, underscoring the manifold variations across countries. These differences, intertwined with varying holiday arrangements, wield a palpable influence on the structure of the school year. Collectively, these insights weave a vivid tapestry that showcases the mosaic of policies and practices that form the backbone of compulsory education across OECD member nations.

Kazakhstani Report:

Annual Hours Per Each Lesson:

Comparative Analysis with OECD:

A comparative examination of Kazakhstan's education system against the backdrop of OECD countries unveils intriguing patterns and disparities. Firstly, the student-teacher ratios in Kazakhstan's primary education, hovering at approximately 18.55 students per teacher, stand slightly higher than the OECD average of 14.5. This variance suggests potential differences in class sizes or teacher-student ratios within Kazakhstan's primary education.