The latest research of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization, known as UNESCO, suggests that students from China, Japan and the Republic of Korea have the best academic record in the world. The research also recognizes the quality of China's elementary education.
According to the UNESCO report, high school students in the three Asian countries have the best academic record in some sciences, including mathematics, physics, chemistry, biology and geology. Students on the Chinese mainland and Hong Kong also display advanced reading ability. The report indicates that whether students get good marks depends heavily on the national education system.
At the elementary school level, China has the most difficult courses in some sciences, and the depth of understanding among China's primary school students is two grades higher than that of other countries. Meanwhile, Chinese primary and middle school students have relatively good study foundations but most lack experience of practical applications.
(CCTV.com July 9, 2003)
