§ Sir Ralph HowellTo ask the Secretary of State for Education and Employment what assessment she has made of the standards of education achieved(a) in Britain and (b) in other countries for which she holds comparable figures. [8340]
§ Mr. Robin SquireThe UK has more detailed and comprehensive systems to measure standards achieved by pupils than any other country. These show that standards in the UK have risen significantly over recent years, and continue to do so. For example, one in three young people now proceeds to higher education, and the vast majority of 16-year-olds continue in full-time education or training: whereas 15 years ago, the figures were respectively one in eight, and one half.
Cross-national comparisons of educational standards are difficult, given the problems of definition and measurement. Some relevant data are given in the annual OECD publication, "Education at a Glance". This shows the UK to be in the middle of the range of OECD countries on most of the 45 indicators.
Earlier this year, the Government's skills audit examined the performance of four comparator countries: France, Germany, Singapore and the USA. The study highlighted that the UK needs to do more to address literacy, numeracy and other key skills, and to raise achievement at levels 2 and 3; and the Government are already taking appropriate action.
A recent report of the third international mathematics and science study compares the performance of 13-year-olds in England in science—where we do well—and mathematics—where we need to improve—with that of pupils in other countries. Further reports on the performance of nine-year-olds are to be produced later in 1997.
All these reports can be found in the Library.