What makes Estonia and Singapore so good?

Author
Periodical
Globalisation, Societies and Education
Volume
18
Year
2020
Issue number
2
Page range
191-193
Relates to study/studies
PISA 2015

What makes Estonia and Singapore so good?

Abstract

Considering high performance in PISA, a case study of Estonia and Singapore is required. Estonia’s economy is not up to par with Singapore. On the other hand, Estonia is more democratic than Singapore. The national IQ levels are higher in Singapore (102) than in Estonia (99.4) but may explain a large portion of the attainment level in both countries. Singapore does also have more highly educated and better paid teachers, as well as a highly skilled foreign workforce. Annual educational quantity is very similar. Therefore, the high scores in Estonia relative to the OECD average and many wealthier western nations remain as somewhat of a minor mystery.