Did you know that there is no universal and worldwide standard for obtaining a driver's license? Therefore (theoretical and practical exam) vary significantly from country to country. We have collected some fun facts about the procedure for obtaining a driver's license from around the world.

Mexico - Mexico City

Until recently, residents of Mexico City (Mexico) did not have to pass any tests or demonstrate driving skills to obtain a driver's license. All you had to do to get your license was verbally declare your responsibility to be a safe driver on the road. But after a sharp increase in accident rates and several major accidents, the laws were changed. Now, in order to obtain a driver's license, residents of Mexico City must pass a written exam on knowledge of the rules of the road, as well as a test on the ability to drive a car.

Egypt

In Egypt, to get a license you need to pass a short theoretical test, answering only 10 questions. However, the practical part of the exam is very, very difficult. For example, a novice driver must be able to pass an S-shaped obstacle course (a difficult “snake”). The practical exam is so difficult that more than half of Egyptians fail the practical exam the first time they take it.

Finland

Finland probably has some of the most difficult roads in the world. Driver applicants must demonstrate to the examiners their car care skills and their dexterity while driving on slippery roads. In addition, to obtain a license in Finland, in addition to a theory test, beginners must prove that they have the skills to drive a car at night. Fortunately, even in spring it gets dark in Finland at 3 o'clock in the afternoon, so you don't have to wait until night to test your driving skills in the dark.

Italy

Every new driver receives 20 points by default when he receives a license in Italy. Further, the more the driver violates traffic rules, the fewer points will be left (for each, a certain number of points are deducted from the license). However, it is worth noting that points are not written off for all types of offenses while driving a car. But for violations such as speeding or talking on a cell phone while driving, points are necessarily deducted from your driver’s license. The worst thing is that as soon as the driver loses all the points, he will have to take another driving test.

North Korea

There are 14 different categories of driver's licenses in North Korea. And this takes into account the fact that private property in the form of a vehicle is absent as a concept in the country’s legislation. That is, it is actually prohibited to own a car in the country. licenses, as a rule, are obtained by people from wealthy families, who subsequently mainly work as drivers in government agencies.

United States of America - South Dakota

In South Dakota (USA), even a minor can get a license. True, a driver's license will have limited rights. For example, a minor who has received a license can drive a vehicle independently without adult supervision only from 6 a.m. to 10 p.m. At other times, a minor driver must drive only under the supervision of an adult (either one of the parents or an official guardian).

The Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) conducted a large-scale study of the characteristics of teaching in OECD countries, which was called the Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS). "

During the report on the results, praise was repeatedly expressed for the British education system in comparison with other countries in the world. At the same time, everyone present: from the head of Ofsted (Office for Standards in Education, Children's Services and Skills - a government agency that inspects all registered schools in the UK) Michael Wilshaw to the previous Minister of Education Maukla Gove expressed admiration for the Singapore education system, where young Pupils show particularly high results in studying mathematics.

It was also noted that currently the best value for money is provided by the Finnish education system, in which, thanks to the excellent work of teachers, students receive high scores in monitoring studies of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA). These test studies assess the literacy of schoolchildren in different countries of the world and their ability to apply knowledge in practice. And this despite the fact that in Finland teachers receive fairly low salaries and teach relatively large classes.

It was emphasized that in order for Finland to match the UK's PISA scores, it would be necessary to increase the number of schoolchildren per teacher and reduce salaries by almost 10%. However, the study authors did not recommend making such changes, noting that when analyzing it is important to take into account other cultural factors, for example, such as the family’s attitude towards education.

In terms of efficiency, after Finland, which took first place, Korea, the Czech Republic and Hungary are next. The education systems of Brazil and Indonesia, according to the study, showed the lowest value for money.

Given the availability of the results, the author has selected some data to visually illustrate how the characteristics of teacher work vary throughout the world.

Teachers' remuneration

Among the 30 OECD member countries, teachers in Switzerland receive the highest annual salary. The average is $68,000. This is higher than the national average salary, which is about $50,000. Following Switzerland, countries with high teacher salaries are the Netherlands, Germany and Belgium.

Compared to the leading countries, UK teachers earn less than the national average annual income of around $44,000, earning just over $40,000, placing them 13th out of the 30 countries mentioned. But, nevertheless, British teachers still receive more than in other European countries. For example, in France the average teacher salary is $33,000, while in Greece teachers earn an average of $25,000.

Teacher salaries in dollars (OECD data)

The data below, collected over more than 15 years, shows the average annual income of teachers in different countries (in thousands of dollars).

Switzerland – 68.82; Netherlands – 57.87; Germany – 53.73; Belgium – 51.47; Korea – 47.34; Ireland – 47.3; Japan - 45.93; Australia – 44; Finland – 42.81; Denmark – 41.71; Spain – 41.52; USA – 41.46; Great Britain - 40.91; Austria – 37.41; New Zealand - 34.76; Portugal – 34.59; France – 33.57; Norway – 33.13; Slovenia – 32.48; Sweden – 31.61; Italy – 31.46; Iceland – 29.48; Greece – 25.75; Israel - 19.55; Czech Republic – 18.61; Türkiye – 17.18; China – 16.41; Brazil – 14.94; Hungary – 14.46 and Indonesia – 2.83.

Countries with the most teachers in school

According to the study, Brazil has an average of 32 students per teacher, while Portugal has only seven. Norway and Greece also have relatively small classes. In turn, the UK is in the list of countries with the largest number of students per teacher, and ranks 14th in this indicator.

GEMS Studies (GEMS Education Solutions) have shown that if the UK government wants to match the efficiency of Finnish education, it can increase the number of students per school from an average of 13 to 16 students per teacher.

Number of students per teacher

The data below shows the situation in the 30 OECD member countries in terms of the number of students in public schools per teacher.

Brazil – 32.1; China – 27.6; Korea – 18.2; Indonesia – 17.4; Finland – 16.5; Türkiye – 16.4; Netherlands – 16.4; USA – 15.3; Ireland – 14.8; Sweden – 14.4; Slovenia – 14.1; Germany – 13.7; New Zealand - 13.5; Great Britain - 13.4; Japan - 13.1; Denmark – 12.7; Australia - 12.6; Czech Republic – 12.4; Hungary – 12; Israel - 11.7; Switzerland – 11.6; Iceland – 10.9; Italy – 10.8; France – 10.4; Austria – 10.2; Spain – 10.1; Belgium – 9.9; Greece – 9.7; Norway – 9.2; Portugal – 7.6.

Countries where teachers are most respected

Last year's Global Teacher Status Index 2013 report by the Varkey Gems Foundation found that teachers in China are the most respected in the world. The UK and US were in the middle of the rankings, falling below South Korea and Greece, where teachers were rated more highly. The lowest ranked country among the 21 OECD countries surveyed was Israel, where teachers are the least respected based on statistics.

The study involved a survey of 1,000 people in each participating country who were asked the following questions: Do they think teachers are paid fairly and would they encourage their children to become teachers in the future?

The findings on teacher respect in Europe, which contrasted sharply with those in Asia, were viewed pessimistically. Thus, in China, 75% of those who participated in the survey said that teachers in their country are respected by students.

Teachers' working hours

The TALIS (Teaching and Learning International Survey) study found that in the UK teachers work an average of 46 hours a week during the school year, eight hours more than the international 38 hours. In addition, British teachers spend less time in the classroom and devote more of it to other tasks. Finnish teachers typically have a 32-hour work week, while teachers in Italy only work 29 hours during the week.

Statistical dataTALIS

The leader in the number of women among teachers is Latvia - 88.7%, followed by Estonia - 84.5%, Slovakia - 81.8%, Bulgaria - 81.2%, Italy - 78.5%, Czech Republic - 76.5 %, Israel - 76.3%, Poland - 74.9%, etc. The fewest women among teachers are in countries such as the Netherlands - 54.6%, Mexico - 53.8% and Japan - 39%.

The average age of teachers varies as follows: the maximum is observed in Italy (48.9 years), Estonia (47.9 years), Bulgaria (47.4 years), and younger teachers teach in schools in Malaysia (38.9 years), Abu Dhabi (UAE) (38.7 years) and Singapore (36 years).

Teachers with higher education predominate in countries such as: Australia (99.9%), Poland (99.9%), Korea (99.8%). Croatia (82.3%), Chile (81.6%) and Italy (80.5%) close the rankings.

Teachers in Latvia (22 years), Estonia (21.6 years), Bulgaria (21.5 years), Italy (19.8 years), Portugal (19.4 years) and Spain (18.3 years) have good teaching experience ). Teachers from Abu Dhabi (UAE) (12.8 years), England (12.4 years) and Singapore (9.7 years) were slightly less experienced.

Teachers spend more time directly teaching during the week in Chile (26.7 hours), Brazil (25.4 hours), Mexico (22.7 hours), Finland (20.6 hours), England (19.6 hours) ), France (18.6 hours) and least in the Netherlands (16.9 hours), Romania (16.2 hours) and Norway (15 hours). TALIS also analyzed other activities of teachers during working hours, such as: planning, team and administrative work, counseling students, communicating with parents and guardians, participation in extracurricular activities, etc.

Some additional facts about teachers

The US government provides the most money for education ($809 billion), followed by Japan ($160 billion), Germany ($154 billion), Brazil ($146 billion), France ($123 billion) and the UK ($123 billion). ).

According to the UN, an additional 8 million teachers will be needed by 2015.

International data states that 68% of teachers are women and the average age of a teacher is 48 years.

The average working week for a teacher is 38 hours. In Japan, where teachers work longer, the figure is 54 hours.

The academic year in Japan is divided into three equal terms and training starts in early April. After the first trimester, summer holidays begin for children - from the end of July to September 1. The second trimester lasts until the end of December, and the third from January to March. Children are transferred from class to class during spring break, which lasts only a week.

In the country, for a long time, the profession of educator and teacher was exclusively male - they were addressed as “sensei”. Today, still more than half of the teaching staff are men.

In almost all Japanese schools, children eat lunch right in their classrooms, because there are no canteens in the building.

Czech

In schools in the Czech Republic, there is a five-point system for assessing knowledge, with the highest grade being one and the lowest being five.

Vacations for schoolchildren in the Czech Republic are provided only in winter and summer. Summer holidays last only 2 months.

The norm for Czech schools is multidisciplinary teaching, with one teacher teaching several different lessons. Here the math teacher can also be a physical education teacher, and the singing teacher can teach chemistry and the mother tongue.

Finland

Each class in Finnish schools has two teachers - a teacher and an assistant.

A Finnish teacher will never call a student to answer at the board if he does not want to do so. It is not accepted here to expose the ignorance or shortcomings of one student in front of everyone else.

After each lesson in a Finnish school there is a break, during which all students must go outside, regardless of the time of year.

Cuba

In Cuba, high school education is seriously career-oriented and combined with work. High school students from city schools go to agricultural work annually for a period of 5 to 7 weeks.

Sweden

In a Swedish school, the principal has the right to promote a student to the next grade during the school year. Of course, only subject to high academic performance and parental consent.

China

In schools in China, winter holidays last from late December to early February. At this time, the country celebrates the traditional New Year.

At Chinese universities, a study session lasts only 40 minutes.

Ireland

In Ireland, secondary education is compulsory for children aged 6-15, so they are required to attend classes. For students of the country, attendance at the lecture is free.

Norway

In Norwegian schools, children do not know what assessment is until the 8th grade.

Norwegian schools do not allow children of different ages to study in the same school building. A clear division by age has been created here: primary school, teenagers from 14 years old, young people (18 years old).

Greece

Greek higher education institutions have a very liberal attitude towards education. Here, many students delay the process of obtaining an education until they are 30 years old. The fact is that education in Greece is absolutely free, medical insurance and free meals in student canteens are provided, as well as various benefits for travel on public transport.

In schools, the standard number of children in classes is 35-40 children.

In American schools, children are prepared from the first years of school to choose a future profession. Therefore, parents of students periodically come to class and talk about their work.

In almost all American and some European schools, in addition to the usual lunch breaks, there are breaks when children drink milk - Milk Break.

Select a country from the list provided and find out all the features of studying there. Read detailed reviews of the education system and levels of study, the most popular educational institutions, advice on admission and home improvement.

Europe

North America

Asia and Oceania

Studying abroad opens up many attractive prospects for students: the opportunity to gain tremendous international experience, make new friends from different countries, master at least one foreign language, get a good world-class education and get acquainted with another culture. Now that geographical boundaries between countries are becoming more of a convention due to the high mobility of people around the world, everyone has a chance to get an education abroad.

In fact, in every country there are universities and colleges that are willing to host international students and offer special programs and scholarship schemes for foreign applicants. Having such a wide choice - almost the entire globe - it is not so easy for a future student to decide on a future place of study. If you have already started to think about how to choose a country for further study, there are several key factors to take into account.

The most important thing is to evaluate how highly rated universities in a particular country are in the field you plan to study.

Many European countries are traditionally strong in the humanitarian sector. Italy and France are very popular among future art critics, cultural experts, historians and, of course, fashion designers. The UK is also famous for its strong design schools, which, however, deservedly ranks among the first in terms of the quality of education in all areas. Do you dream of making a career in business, economics or finance? There are many good business schools in Europe, but the undisputed leader in this area is the United States. Many promising opportunities will open up for future engineers and specialists in the field of exact sciences in Germany, especially if you are planning a scientific career in the future.

Another important factor for choosing a country of study is the language. Sometimes students choose a particular country precisely because they already speak the relevant foreign language. Some, on the contrary, first decide on the country of study, and then begin to master the language. By the way, in many countries, for example in Holland, Germany, China or Singapore, education is conducted in both the state language and English. In any case, good command of the language is essential and provides additional advantages when applying, so it is worth paying more attention to language practice.

Your attitude to the mentality of the country where you will study also plays an important role. As in the case of language, for some students it is the love of local culture that becomes the decisive criterion when choosing a place to study. Thanks to their centuries-old rich culture, countries such as Great Britain, France and Italy are extremely popular among students. But it should be taken into account that this concept includes not only history and art, but also traditions, cuisine, religion, style of dressing, mentality and much more. Therefore, for successful cultural adaptation, it is necessary not only to know the language and past of the country, but also to have a good understanding of its modern lifestyle, and to assess how well you can fit into it.

Studying abroad is somewhat of a challenge.

Especially for very young people who are leaving home for the first time. This is a serious test of strength and readiness for adult life, but at the same time one of the best, unforgettable periods for any student. If you want to expand your horizons, get a new source of inspiration and explore the world, then the best way to do this is to go to study in another country.

BABYFASHION has collected for you the most unusual, funny and surprising facts about studying. Enjoy!

Do 40-minute lessons drag on forever? Did you know that the longest university lecture lasted 54 hours straight! It was given at Laidley State High School (Queensland, Australia) by Professor Marie Burrows as part of a biology course.

The world record for the number of students in one school was recorded in the 2003-2004 school year: almost 27,911 children attended the Montessori school in Lucanu (India).

The oldest university in the world that exists today is by no means the famous Sorbonne or Oxford. The oldest university is the Muslim Karaouine, located in Morocco. It was founded in 859.

If you want to make good money teaching, then you should head to Switzerland, where teacher salaries start at $33,000 per year. But the largest professorial fee in history was received by Dr. Roland Dant in Chicago, (Illinois, USA) for delivering a two-day course of lectures on hypnotherapy to students on June 1-2, 1986. He was paid $3,080,000.

Alaska spends more money per capita on elementary and secondary education than any other state. And the African country of Somalia has the smallest expenditures on education.

They spend 0.4% of gross national income on all schools and colleges, which is approximately $1 billion.

If your child thinks 11 years of schooling is too long, encourage them to travel to Mali, where children only attend school for two years! At the age of 10-12 years, most already begin to work.

In the city of Reston (USA), the Terraset underground school was built in 1970: they leveled the hill, erected a building on this site, and then covered it with earth. The natural earthen covering provided warmth and saved energy. Today, the school is not only the most energy-efficient school in the country, but also one of Reston's top tourist attractions.

For those who believe that one cannot skimp on children’s education, we recommend the Iveloa Spencer International School for Young Ladies and Gentlemen (UK). Monthly courses here cost from £77,500 and up. But students live in the best hotels in London, attend ballet and opera and take etiquette lessons.

The world's first puzzle was created in the 17th century by John Spilsbury, an English cartographer, for purely educational purposes. It was a map of Europe, cut into pieces-states. The kids loved learning geography with this fun puzzle. The first puzzle toys began to be released much later.

In Germany, there is a tradition: parents give their first-graders a bag of “Schultüte” - a cone made of colored paper filled with sweets - on the first day of school.