Introduction
The progress of students especially in primary schools has to be tracked to allow for comparisons amongst their peers throughout the world. To realize this, various international surveys (PISA, PIRLS, TIMSS and TALIS) have been done.
PISA, PIRLS, TIMSS and TALIS in the Netherlands
The Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) is a standardized judgment of national systems of education in equipping their young people for the future. On the PISA 2006 science scale on identifying scientific issues, Netherlands schools scored above 530 points which are above the OECD average of 500 points. This means that the 15-year-olds in the county approaching the end of compulsory schooling have the ability to utilize basic understandings in reading, mathematics, and science to everyday circumstances (“PISA 2006 results” para. 1).
The Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS) focuses on providing comparative data about student’s achievement in primary school. It provides vital comparative information on the students reading achievement, reading curriculum, institutional practices and school resources. In the 2006 survey on the Netherlands, it recorded a significant drop in an average score as compared to the year 2001. The report showed that girls are higher reading achievers than their counterparts, the boys. It also showed that kids from homes that promote the reading culture become better readers (“International Study Centre” para, 3).
The Trends in International Mathematics & Science Study report (TIMSS) provides a different but complementary analysis of the education system. It tests students in primary schools have developed mastery in mathematics and science curriculum. The results in the Netherlands show achievement by the students in mathematics and science. This can be attributed to the change in the method of education from a mechanistic approach to a realistic approach whereby the teacher functions as an instructor. The modern curriculum focuses on an integrated conception of scientific principles (Knuver 214-226).
The OECD’s Teaching and Learning International Survey (TALIS) report released on 16th June 2009 provides a benchmark for the learning and teaching conditions by helping countries to review and develop policies to make the teaching profession more attractive and more effective. The survey was conducted in The Netherlands but as the required standards of data sampling did not meet the standards, they are not available for international comparison (“OECD-TALIS” para.2).
Milton Friedman and the education system
Milton Friedman advocated for the role of economic capitalism in the liberal society in the early sixties. His political ideology emphasized more effort by the private sector and the least role by the government. This has been taken by most governments and has yielded positive results.
The author wrote that the use of vouchers should be incorporated into the education system so as to allow students to attend private schools of their choice. He comments that in a democracy, the citizens of any country are supposed to get basic education as a statutory obligation of citizenship. In order to increase the investment in human capital, he suggests several solutions that include private and public to realize an increased investment in human capital (Friedman Chapter VI para.1).
The vouchers give families the choice to take their children to their favored school. In advocating for the vouchers, Friedman purposed that they will provide a free competitive marketplace that will raise the education standards. His ideas fit into the International Surveys that are being carried out. The surveys show the level of commitment from the education stakeholders in achieving quality education. The OECD’s monitoring system provides a framework for comparing different countries. In this way, it creates ambitious goals for others by showing that some countries succeed in providing a better education than others.
Conclusion
The world is fast advancing towards globalization. The economic, social and environmental challenges that have emerged are to be addressed urgently. Getting quality education in this globalised economy is a fundamental asset for efficiency in service delivery, economic growth and better standards of living. Proper education plays a vital role in enhancing skills that are necessary for globalization.
Works Cited
Friedman, Milton. “Capitalism and Freedom”. University of Chicago Press (1962): Chapter VI.
International Study Centre. n.d. Lynch School of Education, Boston College. 2009. Web.
Knuver, Anja. “Mathematics & Science Performance of Primary School Students in The. Netherlands”. Educational Research and Evaluation Vol.5, No.2 (1999): 214-226
Pisa 2006 results.2006. OECD. Web.
Teaching & Learning International Survey. 2009. Organization for Economic co-operation &Development. Web.