Passing with flying colors

Passing with flying colors

Taken from the book Awesome Reader and Writer, Unit 1, lesson 2.

Preparation Task

Vocabulary

Multiple Choice

? How many years does a student attend school on average?

on average means:

• in total

• in general

• in sum

Multiple Choice

we talk about fair access to education when everyone has access to a good education.

fair means:

• unjust

• equal

• nice

Multiple Choice

We know that educated people can help a country grow and succeed economically.

succeed economically means:

• win money

• get worse economically

• improve economically

Passing with flying colors

When comparing education systems in different countries, it is worth considering certain questions. For example, does a country have kindergarten, elementary school, middle school, and high school? Do students go to university after graduating from high school? Do they go to a technical college? How many years does a student attend school on average? The answers to these questions vary significantly from country to country, but they tend to be straightforward.

Comparing levels of equity among different education systems, however, is not so easy. This is because there are often differing opinions regarding what we mean when we talk about fair access to education. There are those that argue that education is a service that should be paid for, similar to the way that other products are bought and sold. Others think that making education accessible to all benefits society as a whole.

Multiple Choice

Some people argue that education should be paid for, like any other service.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

All countries have the same education system.

• True

• False

As a starting point, it is useful to think about the following questions: Why is access to education so important? Is it a big problem if part of the population does not go to school? The answer to these questions is relatively simple. Receiving a good education is extremely important. We know that educated people can help a country grow and succeed economically. Therefore, if only a small percentage of the population receives an education, the country has a smaller chance of developing and prospering. 

If a country wants to make the most of the talent of its population, access to education should be equal for all. A person’s individual conditions should not restrict their opportunities to study a subject that they are passionate about. The education system should be inclusive.

Multiple Choice

Educated people CANNOT help a country grow and succeed economically.

• True

• False

Multiple Choice

All countries should have inclusive education.

• True

• False