Schools and Curriculums in China Part 1: Jialiang Tang Part two Xinyu Liu When you search for "China" and "education" in your browser, you may come across words like "strict," "grueling," or even "inhumane." You might wonder if that's true, with no way to verify. Today, we're going to ask some high schoolers from a normal school in China about their feelings regarding school in China. Duyi Xu, an 11th grader at Nanchang No.2 High School (Honggutan Campus) has some complaints about some rigid learning methods in Chinese schools, “As a liberal arts student in a key high school in China, my personal experience is that time is not enough. We are almost tired of running in one homework after another, box after box of endorsement tasks. However, what we have learned by heart only serves the exam. I'll think about it. Is it meaningful to use our golden years to learn things that almost only serve exams, consume our creativity, and make us more homogeneous .”On a brighter note she adds, “Of course, the existing education model is the most suitable one based on the specific national conditions of China with a large population base. I believe it will continue to develop and progress, which requires our teenagers to compete for the first place and contribute their own strength to the development of the motherland in the future.” Chenhao Xu, 16, also currently at Nanchang No.2 High School, confirms that high school life in China is "stressful". "The things we're learning are difficult and there's a lot to remember," he says. "I have to do homework late into the night." It is "upsetting" according to him. But when asked if he thinks the Chinese education system is somehow detrimental to students' character, he is indignant. "The challenges we face in high school make us stronger, and it’s not so far off the global average as far as I know," he adds. As for the benefits of attending high school in China, he says, "The last three years of school mean a lot. The friends you make in high school will be forever and could potentially be important later in life." High school campus creates unforgettable memories. Yuxin Liu, 15, also says “The Chinese high school education system is known for its competitive and rigorous nature.” Ruiyang Liu, 16, currently studying at Guangzhou No,2 High School, is more optimistic. When asked how he feels about high school life in China, he breaks into a smile, “To be honest, stressful but with no shortage of fun.” As for the Gaokao, Ruiyang says “Of course, high school in China and Gaokao have their own limitations and unreasonableness. However, when facing such a complicated society and its numerous candidates, it would be difficult to find a more efficient and more feasible solution. So, in a sense, I think its existence is reasonable.” Despite all the difficulties, he still considers high school to be the best three years.” Yes, high school study in China is much criticized for its rigidity. Still, I enjoy high school life for the colorfulness and splendidness that cannot be provided at other stages of education. Therefore, in high school, I begin to seek the direction of life. Also, I really enjoy the moments I spent with my friends, and these moments constantly remind me of the beauty of life, and encourage me to keep going.”

In China, elementary school is from Grade 1 to Grade 6, middle school is from Grade 7 to Grade 9, and high school is from Grade 10 to Grade 12. To get into high school, you need to take an exam called Zhongkao. The school you may attend depends solely on your total score in that exam. Each province has its own uniform exam paper, though some A cities may have their own paper. There is also a physical test, involving running and various sports. The proportion of points for the physical test has been on the rise across China. It was canceled during COVID-19 due to fears of spreading the disease. The exam takes place every year in June, a few weeks ahead of the Gaokao. The days-long wait for the results is perhaps one of the most nerve-wracking things in the world. Three years of hard work, all for that one second of joy or despair; it seems like a little too much for a 15-year-old teenager to fully comprehend. After the results come out, you have to start applying to high schools. Even after the grades have been released, you are in the dark as to whether you can actually get into the school you want. The so-called "score lines" are only drawn after the application process is complete. There are algorithms to ensure that as long as you apply properly, you'll get into the best school your grade will allow. Of course, there are some tactics when applying which may hurt or help your chances. You have to select about a dozen candidate schools on the portal, ranging from schools in the provincial vital A class to the technical school. You have to put in three schools for each category, and the first one you put in will be considered your preferred school. If your grades qualify, you will be admitted. If not, the algorithm will go down your list one by one until your grades meet the score-line for a school. Different cities may have different methods, but the differences are small. Schools and Curriculums in Indonesia By Sharon During these past few years, there have been dynamic and rapid changes done within the school system to lessen pressure and prepare students for the real world. These include more practical assessments than written ones, organizational management, and applying theories to real-life projects that can be applied in everyday life. The Curriculum "Merdeka", which started in the 2022-2023 academic year, allowed students to take subjects they are interested in and not take the rest. As for high school, it typically consists of three years of study, with the final year, commonly referred to as the "gaokao" year, being the most crucial. The gaokao is the National College Entrance Examination, which serves as the primary gateway for Chinese students to enter universities. Success in the gaokao can significantly impact a student's future opportunities and career prospects. High school students in China often face intense academic pressure. They are expected to perform well on standardized exams, with a heavy focus on subjects like mathematics, Chinese, and English. Many students attend extra classes or "cram schools" to prepare for these exams, as parents often invest their hopes and resources into the education of their children. The competition to gain admission to prestigious universities adds to the stress. There is a strong emphasis on rote learning and memorization, which can lead to a lack of creativity and critical thinking in the educational process. Students might spend long hours studying and have limited time for extra-curricular activities or personal interests. The pressure on high school students in China is a topic of concern for educators and policymakers. While the system has been successful in producing high-achieving students, it has also been criticized for its impact on students' mental and physical health. Efforts have been made to reform the system to reduce the burden on students and encourage a more holistic approach to education. Initial positive results have been received.

Schools and Curriculums in Sri Lanka By Diwme Normally we have to go to school here when we are 3 years old. It's called "preschool" and there we could learn about basic things like writing letters, words, and the things we need to learn when we are with society. After 2 years, we could go to first class in school. There we have 5 classes 1 to 5. After that, we have to face an exam called the " Grade 5 scholarship examination". After passing that examination we could go to another school with grades 6 to 13. Every year we have 3 exams ( 1st term, 2nd term, and 3rd term) in grade 11 ( age like 16) we have to write an examination called "O/L". It has 9 subjects to write though we learn 13 subjects up to grade 9. We can select 9 subjects from them ( but the main subjects are necessary) So, after passing that, we have 2 years to ready for a big exam called the " Advanced level examination" we can select the facts we want to write like math, biology, Technology, art ... each subject has 3 parts. e.g., math:- Combined math, Chemistry, Physics So, we have to get good results from that to go to a university. And in the university, we have four years to face exams in there. So, after passing them ( around age 24), we can go to a job with qualifications. So that's the summary of our school system.

Schools and Curriculums in Indonesia By Sharon During these past few years, there have been dynamic and rapid changes done within the school system to lessen pressure and prepare students for the real world. These include more practical assessments than written ones, organizational management, and applying theories to real-life projects that can be applied in everyday life. The Curriculum "Merdeka", which started in the 2022-2023 academic year, allowed students to take subjects they are interested in and not take the rest.

In Bangladesh, the education system follows a rigorous path that shapes the academic journey of Bangladeshi students. This journey, segmented into four distinct phases, encompasses primary school, high school, intermediate college (higher secondary school), and university education. The academic journey begins after a year of pre-primary education. Primary school spans from class 1 to class 5, culminating in a board exam known as the Primary School Certificate (PSC). Notably, the PSC and JSC exams have been recently repealed. Moving on to the high school journey, which starts from 6th grade and goes up to 10th grade. In the previous system, students were required to undertake the Junior School Certificate (JSC) ents select one of three specialized groups: Science, Humanities, or Commerce. All the students share seven common subjects, and each group has its group-specific subjects. However, it is important to note that according to the new education curriculum, the group system in class 9 will be repealed starting from the 2026 SSC examinee. The climax of high school life is the Secondary School Certificate (SSC). SSC is a board exam as well. Remarkably, Bangladesh’s education curriculum is divided into eight Education boards. These education boards organize public exams. Ensuring fairness, all the students from a particular board sit exams on the same questions. Which prestigious school a student has studied at doesn’t matter at all as it’s prohibited to mention a student’s name, educational institution, or gender. This information remains enclosed before numbering the answer papers. For the majority of the students, it is synonymous with fear and panic, as it has significant implications for university admission. Students probably feel Einstein’s theory of relativity that time is relative, as they are waiting for the result of the SSC, the very first important exam in their lives. All the achievements over the 10 years can go in vain in a minute. Upon completing high school, students transition to college life in grades 11 and 12. In Bangladesh, colleges encompass classes 11 and 12, differing from universities. Science students have the flexibility to change groups at this stage and can switch groups according to their choice. As for humanities and commerce, they can only switch between humanities and commerce. Regardless of the chosen groups, all students undertake five common subjects alongside eight group-specific subjects. The culmination of college education is marked by the Higher Secondary Certificate (HSC) examination. To be eligible for university entrance, students are required to attain a grade of A or A+. To be eligible for the university admission test a student must get at least 9 GPA points in total of SSC and HSC exam scores. But there is an unofficial rule, without two A+ it’s quite impossible to get into any public university, as these two exam scores are counted, so it’s arduous for a student to get such a high score on an admission test that can back up their previous exam scores. Rather, each university has different requirements for eligibility for sitting for the entrance exam. For example, to be eligible for the Bangladesh University of Engineering Technology (BUET), a student must get 93% or above in physics and chemistry and 85% and above in higher mathematics on HSC. In the wake of the HSC examination, students embark on an intense preparation period for university admission. It's a grueling process, often likened to a battlefield, earning students the moniker “soldiers of admission war”. In Bangladesh, there is an unofficial system that plays a significant role in a student’s learning journey and it’s the coaching system, particularly in the higher grades. While there are prestigious schools like cadet schools and cadet schools that have different curricula, the majority of the students attend regular schools. The challenge for students lies in the need for support and guidance, the things that regular schools may not always provide leading to the prevalence of coaching centers, subject-specific batches, and home tutoring. These coaching and batch systems are the unofficial truths of the Bangladeshi education system, which everybody knows but is not often discussed openly. As students progress into the 9th, 10th, 11th, and 12th grades, they often find themselves juggling multiple subject-specific batches. Some students may attend up to six or seven different batches, indicating the intense demand for coaching or tutoring. Some students opt for home tutoring where the tutors come to the student's home to give him personalized educational support. In recent years, the landscape of education has been evolving, and the COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the shift toward online education. Many students now prefer online batches as a convenient way to access educational resources. Furthermore, university admission preparation is heavily dependent on coaching centers. A lot of students travel to larger cities, staying in hostels or shared accommodations near coaching centers. Some even travel with one of their guardians, staying in rented apartments near coaching centers, dedicating their day to an intense preparation schedule. The three months of preparation time is regarded to be the most intense and the hardest time of student life. As we go across the path of the Bangladeshi education system, we realize that the pursuit of education can take many forms, each with its traits and prominence. As long as the students give their devotion, they can shine from all over the world because handwork and devotion never go in vain.

Schools and Curriculums in Russia By Jane In Russia, we have a five-point grading system in school. 1 - is the worst grade, but no one gets it and they get just 2, and the best grade is 5. Everyone goes to school when they turn 6 years old. We learn 11 years at school and then go to the university. Or you can leave school in grade 9 and go to college, and after college, you can go to the university, or go to work. In primary school(grades 1-4) we have Math, Russian, Literature, Arts, PE, and Biology. Since grade 2 we start to have English. In high school(grades 5-11) we have Math, English, Russian, Literature, Biology, Geography, PE, Technology and Arts, and Social Science. And after grade 7 we start to have Physics and Chemistry. In years 9 and 11, there is a very big and difficult exam. You must take Math and Russian exams, and 2 additional subjects that you can choose by yourself. In year 9 you must choose 2 subjects, and in year 11 - 3 subjects. With the results of this exam, you can apply to any university in Russia. In Russia every school is different from others, so there can't be a general opinion. Everything depends on the teachers you will get. If you get a good one - you will like the school system, otherwise, you probably won't.

Schools and Curriculums in Germany By Maura Blacke In Germany, your school life starts with preschool, which is optional and based on kindergarten. It starts when children are around 4 years old. They learn about shapes, numbers, and sometimes letters. The compulsory education starts with primary school, which lasts from age 6 to 10. Children who are born around the deadline-day can start school at the age of 5 or 7. Basically, they will turn 6 or 7 in the first quarter of the school year. In primary school, they learn basic skills in writing, reading, and math. They also learn some science, music, art, history, religion, and traditions of Germany and other countries. However, the curriculum varies depending on the school's focus.After primary school, there are three types of secondary schools: undenominational school (Gemeinschaftsschule), junior high school (Realschule), or high school (Gymnasium). Children can choose which type they want to attend. To help them, they get a recommendation based on their performance and preference in primary school. The undenominational school lasts from grade 5 to 9 or 10. It covers general subjects such as history, science, politics, religion or ethics, art, and music. After finishing this school, students can go into vocational training for jobs that require special education, such as assistants, nurses, or sellers. The junior high school lasts from grade 5 to 10. It covers the same subjects as the undenominational school, but in more depth and detail. After finishing this school, students can take a test to get a diploma called “Realschulabschluss”. They can then work in jobs that require higher education, such as bank employees or notary clerks. High school lasts from grade 5 to 12 or 13. It covers a wide range of subjects and prepares students for university studies. In grade 10, students usually choose three main subjects that they will take a big exam in at the end of high school. This exam is called “Abitur” and it is the high school diploma. They also have to take two oral exams in two other subjects. The choice of subjects depends on the federal state they live in. After finishing high school, students can study at a university to become professionals such as lawyers, doctors, judges, or notaries. Your choice of school is therefore important for your future career. However, you still have the possibility to join another school system later on or catch up on a diploma in evening classes as an adult. However, this is very rare. There are also two special types of schools: waldorf school (Waldorfschule) and promote school (Förderschule). The waldorf school teaches everything based on nature and practical skills such as cooking or work. The promote school provides special support for students who need it, such as those with disabilities or learning difficulties. For example, some schools have teachers who can communicate with sign language.