Asian students are the most academically resilient in the world, based on a recent study by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD).
Singapore was third in a list of 70 OECD countries, with 43% of its students performing well in the PISA (Program for International Student Assessment) test despite hailing from a disadvantageous background.
Hong Kong topped the list with 53% of successful students, while Macau came in a close second with 52%.
The research paper, titled “What schools and countries do to help disadvantaged students succeed in PISA”, was based on the PISA database, and compares information on the performance of 15-year-old students in over 70 education systems worldwide.
The paper also highlights the importance of maintaining a positive school environment – as shaped by teachers, principals and policymakers – as well as providing the necessary resources for student learning to mitigate the risk of low achievement for disadvantaged students.
In the majority of education systems examined, the likelihood of academic resilience among disadvantaged students is higher in schools where students report a positive classroom climate.
A positive school environment can be established through several efforts, including:
- providing a respectful atmosphere that is relatively free of disruption
- focusing on student learning and discipline
- having supportive teacher-student interactions
On average, 25% of students across OECD countries were considered resilient.
Japan also had an above average share of resilient students (40%), with Australia (29%) and the UK (28%) showing figures that were slightly higher than the OECD average. The US was just under the OECD figure with 22%.