What South Africa Can Learn from the World’s Smartest Education Systems

In her book, Ripley follows three American teenagers who spend a year attending school in Finland, Poland, and South Korea, countries known for their impressive results in the PISA assessments. PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment) is a global test administered every three years by the OECD. It measures how well 15-year-olds can apply what they’ve learnt in reading, maths, and science to real-life problems. Importantly, PISA doesn’t test rote memorisation, but the ability to think critically and use knowledge meaningfully.
By comparing these three education systems, Ripley identified several key factors that contribute to their success:

1. High Expectations for Every Learner

In Finland, Poland, and South Korea, education is taken seriously. All learners, regardless of background or ability, are expected to master challenging material from an early age. Instead of lowering the bar for those who struggle, the focus remains on maintaining high standards and supporting learners to reach them.

2. Respect for Teachers and Teacher Quality

In these countries, teaching is a highly respected profession. Entry into teacher training is competitive, and only top candidates are accepted. Teachers are well trained, well regarded, and given the professional freedom to do their jobs well. This results in classrooms where learners and parents respect educators, not only for their knowledge but also for their dedication.

3. Structured Support at Home

In South Korea, for instance, parents often act as “coaches” rather than “cheerleaders”. They are deeply involved in their children’s learning, not simply encouraging them, but actively helping them prepare for assessments. The culture of academic support at home plays a critical role in learners’ performance.

4. Equity and Challenge

Another common thread in these systems is delaying academic streaming, or grouping by ability, until high school. During the early years, all learners are exposed to the same curriculum, giving everyone the opportunity to develop a strong foundation. This approach helps ensure that no child is left behind too soon.

5. Limited Use of Technology in the Classroom

Interestingly, some of the best-performing countries make very little use of technology in schools. The emphasis is on teacher-led instruction, critical thinking, and mastery of core content. While technology can be useful, it’s clear that a strong, inspiring teacher remains the most important resource in the classroom.
While it may feel daunting to implement these practices here at home, I believe they are possible, with the right support and commitment from everyone, including government, schools, and families.
We already hold high hopes for our children — so why not pair those hopes with high expectations? If we expect little, we may be unintentionally limiting their potential. But when we believe in their ability to succeed, we give them a real chance to rise to the occasion.
South Africa is home to many excellent schools and dedicated teachers. However, two key issues need attention: teachers are often underpaid and undervalued. As a result, few learners are choosing to pursue teaching as a career. To attract passionate and skilled individuals into the profession, we must raise the status of teaching and invest in meaningful training.
Parental involvement also remains a crucial factor. Whether it’s a parent, grandparent, or tutor, having someone to support a child’s learning at home, especially during the early years, makes a tremendous difference. For many working families, this isn’t always easy, but even small actions like asking your children to quickly explain a concept they learnt at school that day, can reinforce their understanding of the concept.
Too often, children are labelled early in their school career; “Amy can’t concentrate”, “Bongi is too fidgety”, “Jason’s not good at maths.” But the idea that every child has the potential to succeed, given the right support and time, is far more powerful. That’s why exposing all learners to the same curriculum in the early years is so important. As they grow, subject choices will allow them to explore their strengths and interests.
Finally, I found it particularly refreshing that the world’s top education systems don’t rely heavily on digital tools. While technology has a place in modern learning, there is simply no substitute for an enthusiastic, skilled teacher—someone who can bring a history lesson to life or make a science experiment unforgettable.

Conclusion

Ripley’s book is a reminder that meaningful change in education is possible. It doesn’t require fancy gadgets or shortcuts. It requires belief in children’s potential, respect for teachers, consistent support at home, and systems built on equity and high standards. These are not impossible goals, they’re just goals we have to choose to pursue.
Reference : Ripley, A. (2013). The smartest kids in the world: And how they got that way. New York: Simon & Schuster.

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Woman writing math equations on a chalkboard, holding a notebook, with a thought bubble of the pi symbol.

Preparing for Maths Assessments

By Estelle Barnard • October 22, 2025

Mathematics rewards practice with purpose: spaced revision, plenty of self-testing, making notes, checking with feedback, and calm, consistent routines. Below you’ll find exactly how to do this at different stages of school. The Big Three for All Learners Space it out Short, regular sessions beat last-minute marathons. Plan 20–40 minute slots across the week and revisit topics before you forget them. This is known as the spacing effect (Cepeda et al., 2008). Retrieve, don’t just reread Close the book and try to solve or recall from memory. Use past questions, quick quizzes, and “write-from-memory” summaries. Retrieval practice strengthens long-term learning, especially when you check your answers (Roediger & Butler, 2011). Think about your thinking Teach learners to plan, monitor, and evaluate how they study. Simple questions like, “What will I practise today? How will I know I’ve improved?” turn revision from passive to purposeful (EEF, 2018). Primary School (Grades 4–7) Goals Build number sense and fluency (times tables, fractions, decimals). Understand why methods work, not just how to perform them. Study Rhythm Mon/Wed/Fri: 20 min mixed practice (across old and new topics). Tue/Thu: 20 min facts fluency (typically something like time tables or fractions) Weekend: 25–30 min “Teach-Back” session: learner explains one concept aloud (e.g. “How do we find a common denominator?”). High School (Grades 8–12) Goals Strengthen algebraic fluency, geometry, trigonometry, statistics, and calculus. Build exam stamina and the ability to select appropriate methods. Exam Preparation Plan Weeks –4 to –3: Cover all topics and create a spaced schedule. Weeks –3 to –2: Attempt past-paper sections; very important to check with detailed memos. Prepare an error log of frequent mistakes. Weeks –2 to –1: Interleave topics and focus more on challenging topics (e.g., trig, functions, geometry). Final Week: Short, focused recall sessions from your “error log.” The Value of Writing Your Own Notes and Step-by-Step Summaries One of the most effective yet overlooked study habits is summarising key procedures in your own words . Mathematics is full of repeatable processes: simplifying fractions, expanding algebraic expressions, finding derivatives using first principles, or completing the square in a quadratic equation. Writing out the steps helps learners form mental blueprints they can rely on in tests. Why this works Research shows that encoding information through writing and explaining strengthens understanding and recall (Dunlosky et al., 2013; MIT Teaching + Learning Lab, 2020). When learners create their own step-by-step summaries: They engage in sense-making, not just copying. They uncover misconceptions early. They connect formulas with reasoning (“why does this step come next?”). They create a quick reference guide for revision. Examples: Simplifying fractions: Find common factors → Divide numerator and denominator → Check if it can simplify further. Completing the square: Divide so that x squared stands on its own →Take the constant term to the right-hand side →Add half of the coefficient of x squared to both sides → Factorise the left-hand side to form a perfect square → Simplify and solve for x. Visualisation and Trigonometry Trigonometry can be tricky until you visualise how angles behave on the Cartesian plane . Remember: in trigonometry, angles are measured from the positive x-axis , moving anticlockwise for positive angles and clockwise for negative ones. (See the labelled diagram above, showing where each trigonometric ratio is positive or negative, including the reduction formulae.) Using StudyChamp Resources Effectively StudyChamp’s detailed memos and step-by-step worked examples make maths study easier: Compare your solution to the memo. Highlight key reasoning steps. Add the process to your “Maths Procedures Notebook”. By exam time, that notebook becomes your own personalised study guide: practical, and written in your own words. References Cepeda, N. J., et al. (2008). Spacing effects in learning: A temporal ridgeline of optimal retention. Psychological Science, 19(11). Dunlosky, J., et al. (2013). Improving Students’ Learning With Effective Learning Techniques. Psychological Science in the Public Interest. Education Endowment Foundation (EEF). Metacognition and Self-Regulated Learning Guidance Report. Roediger, H. L., & Butler, A. C. (2011). The critical role of retrieval practice in long-term retention. Trends in Cognitive Sciences, 15(1). MIT Teaching + Learning Lab. (2020). Note-Taking and Sense-Making Strategies. Massachusetts Institute of Technology.