A Comparative Education

Every year during January and February, I get nostalgic for the time I spent teaching in Namibia. I taught in Namibia through a course in my university where teachers could do two months of their student teaching in a placement in Windhoek, Namibia. The course was called "A Comparative Education in Namibia." The experience made me think about differences in education between the United States and Namibia and education on a global level. The experience in Namibia is what made me want to pursue teaching abroad again. While in Taiwan, I have had time to once again compare teaching in the United States, Namibia, and Taiwan. I thought that I would take some time to compare the education in Namibia, the United States, and Taiwan here. These comparisons reflect only my limited, personal experiences. It should also be noted that while there are differences, I am not saying one system is better than the others. Rather, each place has a complex education system with different strengths and weaknesses. 

Here I am with some of my 5th grade students in Namibia.

Getting to School

United States

The majority of students will take the bus to school. Students may also be dropped off or walk to school. 

 Namibia

Students usually walk, sometimes for miles, to get to school. 

Taiwan
There are no school buses. Instead, there are vans that provide transportation for kindergartners. Parents mostly provide transportation through cars, city buses, or scooters. 

My class last year in the United States on a Peace Walk on the last day of school. 

School buildings

United States

The schools building ranges depending on the location in the United States. Classrooms range in size and usually contain desks or tables. Students typically have lockers to store their belongings. Most schools have a gym, library, music room, art room, cafeteria, and playground.

 Namibia

Schools are typically portables. There are not usually playgrounds, but a large open space for students to play and eat lunch. At my school, for example, there was a field where students played soccer. In different areas there are mobile tent schools, for families who are herders. The tent schools will relocate with the cattle. 

Taiwan

From what I have seen, the school buildings in Taiwan are pretty similar to the school buildings in the United States. There is a large outdoor area typically where students have gym and time outside. 

My classroom in Namibia.

School schedules

United States

The time that schools starts varies, but it is usually a 6-7 hour day. Students are taught English, social studies, math, language arts by a core teacher. Students usually stay in one classroom, except for specialist and lunch. Students have a specialist (gym, media, art, or music) once a day. There is also a break for lunch. Schools start in August or September and end in May or June. Students get a winter, spring, and summer break. 

 Namibia

School starts with an assembly where teachers take turns leading religious songs. Students stand in line with their classes. Students rotate from class to class, but there is no bell to tell when class finishes or starts. Students learn English/reading, social studies, math, science, life skills, religion, and a language. Schools start in January. 

Taiwan

The amount of time in school ranges depending on the day. There are days when school ends around lunchtime. Many students will then attend additional classes at another school or get tutored privately. Many will attend cram schools to learn English or prepare for upcoming tests. I teach at a school that students will go to after their regular Chinese school. Some students will also take classes in swimming, ping pong, art, badminton, or piano on weekends. Students will also attend regular school on Saturdays to make up for a day given off for a national holiday. Like Namibia, school also starts with an assembly, where students sing the school song and other patriotic songs. School starts in the beginning of August and end of June. Students get a break for Chinese New Year. 

My third grade class in Taiwan on the first day of school in August. 

Focus of Instruction

United States

There are set standards for each grade level that are the supposed framework for the curriculum. These standards vary by state, although many states have adopted the same standards with Common Core. Curriculum to cover these standards also varies by district. The United States is criticized for the emphasis on high stakes testing. Some teachers feel like they are encouraged "teach to the test" rather than teach to the standards. There are many ways to teach the content and this varies widely by teacher. Teachers will frequently use a mixture of small group, individual work, and whole class instruction. There is a focus on student-centered instruction. 

 Namibia

If I remember correctly, there was a loose outline for the material that was to be taught. There was some materials to be used, but not a whole lot. For example at my school, students were given a weekly article to read that was printed out. I do not remember textbooks that were used. Lessons that I observed were mostly lecture-based. 

Taiwan
The material is taught mostly in a lecture format. Students are expected to take in the information. There is also a big emphasis on learning through repetition and memorization. For example, to learn a Chinese character, the students will practice writing it over and over.  Taiwan is sometimes criticized for not giving students an opportunity to pursue more creative outlets in school. There is also a big emphasis on testing. In fourth grade students start to take tests that determine which middle/high schools they will attend. 

One of my fifth grade classes in Namibia. 

Behavior Management

United States
There are many different behavior strategies that are used. Generally, students are praised for positive behaviors and there are consequences with unwanted behaviors. I have worked at schools where students received tickets for good behavior. A drawing took place at certain times during the year where prizes were awarded. My behavior management system follows Responsive Classroom. In this system, students are held to high expectations and classroom routines are emphasized and taught. The principal will typically deal with major behavior problems. Suspension rates are also high. 

 Namibia

Many teachers in Namibia still practice corporal punishment. If a student was behaving in a way that was not desired, they would be hit as a consequence. In what I observed, some teachers would hit the students' hands with a ruler or slap it. 

Taiwan
 In Taiwan, I have found behavior in Taiwan is dealt with more publicly. Students will be yelled at or given consequences in front of the class. Grades are also posted, so students are aware of their rank within the class. 

My fifth grade class in Taiwan before Chinese New Year. 

Attitudes Towards Education

United States

Many teachers that I have spoken to do not always feel respected as educators. A teacher's salary in the United States is lower than most other developed countries. A student's attitude towards school comes in part from their family's educational background and experiences. I have had students say that they missed school because they had to take care of younger siblings. I also had a fifth grade say, "What is the point of me going to school? I am just going to drop out in middle school anyhow." 

 Namibia

I did not have a whole lot of parent contact while teaching. I did make a couple of home visits to families though. There were some families where school was emphasized as very important and as a way to better yourself. Other families valued school less. I also taught at an afterschool program. The creator of this program started it, because she found that girls in particular would drop out of school when they got married, pregnant, or found a sugar daddy. Students would range in their attitudes as well. I had many students talk about going to college, so that they could become doctors and help people with HIV. Classes are made based on test scores. I taught the lowest fifth grade class, and they were aware that they were the lowest. They had bad attitudes about school, because they were painfully aware of their rank. 

Taiwan

Education is highly valued. Teachers are also highly valued. Parents are typically very supportive or their students and will ask what they can do to help at home. Parents have very high expectations for their kids. All students are held to the same high academic expectations.