JAPAN AND GERMAN EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM

THERE HAVE BEEN A LOT OF QUESTIONS REVOLVING IF ECONOMIC GIANTS HAVE

BETTER EDUCATIONAL SYSTEMS THAN UNDERDEVELOPED COUNTRIES CONSIDERING
THAT EDUCATION DICTATES THE ECONOMY IN ALL PARTS OF THE WORLD. LET’S TAKE A
LOOK OF TWO OF THE WORLD’S BEST ECONOMY.

JAPAN AND GERMANY ARE TWO OF THE HIGHLY DEVELOPED COUNTRIES IN THE
WORLD. JAPAN IS ONE OF THE LEADING ECONOMIC GIANTS IN ASIA WHILE GERMANY
HAS TAKEN ITS BEST PLACE IN EUROPE. IT HAS BEEN SAID THAT THE SUCCESS OF ANY
NATION IS ROOTED PRIMARILY ON HOW SUCCESSFUL ITS EDUCATION IS. IT IS,
THEREFORE, QUITE INTERESTING TO LEARN THESE TWO POWERFUL NATIONS’
EDUCATION SYSTEM TO UNDERSTAND WHY THEY ARE AMONG THE BEST IN THE WORLD.
Similarities and differences between Japanese and German
Education

 Both nations are recognized as leaders in global rankings when it comes to

education. Preschool and Kindergarten are optional for both countries while
elementary and secondary education are compulsory. As to the tertiary and post
tertiary, both have same offerings.
 For their state schools, both countries do not charge tuition fees. Special education
is also given prime importance for both countries. People and students with
disabilities are supported by their governments. Both also have qualifying
examinations to step up in the next level of education.
 Due to the emergent international demands, Japan and Germany opened
international studies especially in tertiary and post tertiary education. Even foreign
languages, both countries opened their windows for international language
recognition. Acquisition of academic knowledge, intellectual growth, and vocational
skills are equally important for both countries.
Differences

 Japanese education is centralized while German education lies primarily with the
states, the federal government plays a minor role. As to the opening of classes,
Japan welcomes learners in April while Germany opens in August. In Japan, lunch
is served on a standardized menu and is eaten in the classroom, on the other
hand, Germany don’t serve lunch in school.
The system varies throughout Germany because each state decides its own
educational policies. While German government focused on free education,
Japanese schools are somewhat expensive. Even in higher education, many of
Germany's hundred or so institutions of higher learning charge little or no tuition by
international comparison. Students usually must prove through examinations that
they are qualified.
 The reading literacy of Japan if 8% higher than Germany. For the overall reading
skills Japan is 5% higher than Germany. Germany has more than 40% share of
total education spending than that of Japan. For the high school enrollment rate,
Japan has 100% (2nd in the world ranking) while Germany has 98.86% (25th in the
world). As for their tertiary education enrollment, Japan has 3.98 million as
compared to 2.33 million of Germany. However, teaching workforce of Germany is
30% higher than Japan.
 - Poverty has long been a global problem that hampers education. In the Philippines, this is one of
the major issues the government has been trying to resolve for decades. In fact, for every new
administration, poverty alleviating projects are always prioritized on top of other projects. In spite of
the annual increase in the budget for basic education and compulsory elementary education for all
children of school age as mandated in the 1987 Constitution, fewer children are enrolling in
schools and finishing their studies. The reason: poverty.
   Educational outcomes are one of the key areas influenced by family incomes. Children from
low-income families often start school already behind their peers who come from more affluent
families, as shown in measures of school readiness. It is well documented that poverty decreases
a child’s readiness for school through aspects of health, home life, schooling and neighborhoods.
 It is no doubt that Poverty is a major problem confronting the Education in the
Philippines and the rest of the world; however, Education has also a key role in
solving Poverty. Education does not only help individuals escape poverty by
developing the skills they need to improve their livelihoods, but also generates
productivity gains that fuel economic growth. The government should prioritize
projects / programs of the DepEd to entice children to be in school. We must also
continue our strong partnership with other countries like Australia (for AusAID) and
the United States (for USAID) for the sustainability of their Basic Education
Assistance in the Philippines to improve the quality and access to basic education
and livelihood skills especially on the poorest provinces in the country.
 The Conditional Transfer Program under Pantawid Pamilyang Pilipino Program
(4Ps), a project of the government which aim is to invest in Health and Education,
is a good poverty alleviating project. This must also be sustained and expand its
beneficiaries so that more and more poor Filipinos would be able to avail of it.
Through this kind of assistance, parents are encouraged to send their children in
school not only to avail the cash incentives but also to have higher chances to
finish their studies. Definitely, Education is a fundamental solution to poverty.