Top 10 Countries with the Longest School Hours per Day

School hours vary widely across the world, depending on the culture, education system, and expectations of each country. Some students spend only a few hours a day in school, while others have to endure long and intensive schedules that can last up to 10 hours or more. In this blog post, we will explore the top 10 countries with the longest school hours per day, based on the data from the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). We will also look at some of the advantages and disadvantages of having longer or shorter school days, and how they affect the academic performance and well-being of students.

10. Japan

Japan is known for its high-quality education and competitive exams, but also for its long and stressful school hours. Japanese students spend an average of 7.5 hours per day in school, which is higher than the OECD average of 6.9 hours. They also have to attend after-school classes or clubs, do homework, and prepare for entrance exams. Some students even go to cram schools (juku) in the evenings or weekends to boost their academic skills. Japan has one of the highest rates of suicide among young people in the world, and some experts link it to the pressure and anxiety caused by the education system.

9. South Korea

South Korea is another Asian country with long school hours and high academic standards. South Korean students spend an average of 7.6 hours per day in school, which is slightly more than Japan. They also have to attend extra classes, tutoring sessions, or self-study programs after school, sometimes until late at night. South Korea has the highest proportion of students who attend after-school lessons among OECD countries, at 69.7%. The intense competition for college admission and jobs drives many students to study hard and sacrifice their sleep and leisure time. South Korea also has a high youth suicide rate, and some studies suggest that academic stress is a major factor.

8. Russia

Russia has a long history of excellence in education, especially in science and mathematics. Russian students spend an average of 7.7 hours per day in school, which is well above the OECD average. They have a compulsory curriculum that covers a wide range of subjects, such as literature, history, geography, physics, chemistry, biology, foreign languages, and physical education. They also have to take standardized tests at the end of each grade and at the end of secondary education. Russian students are expected to perform well academically and to participate in extracurricular activities, such as sports, arts, or clubs.

7. Chile

Chile is the only Latin American country that makes it to the top 10 list of longest school hours per day. Chilean students spend an average of 7.8 hours per day in school, which is much higher than the regional average of 5.9 hours. Chile has implemented several reforms in its education system in recent years, such as increasing the compulsory schooling age from 16 to 18, extending the school year from 180 to 200 days, and introducing a new curriculum that emphasizes critical thinking and creativity. Chile also has a large private education sector that offers more choices and quality for parents and students.

6. China

China is a global leader in education, ranking first in international assessments such as PISA and TIMSS. Chinese students spend an average of 7.9 hours per day in school, which is similar to Chile. However, this does not include the time they spend on homework, tutoring, or extracurricular activities. Chinese students face a lot of pressure from their parents, teachers, and society to excel academically and to secure a good future. They have to take a high-stakes exam called gaokao at the end of high school, which determines their college admission and career prospects. Many students suffer from stress, anxiety, depression, or physical ailments due to the heavy workload and expectations.

5. Ireland

Ireland is one of the few European countries that have longer school hours than the OECD average. Irish students spend an average of 8 hours per day in school, which is equal to China. They have a comprehensive curriculum that covers subjects such as English, Irish (Gaelic), mathematics, science, social studies, arts, languages, religious education, and physical education. They also have to take national exams at the end of primary and secondary education. Irish students are encouraged to develop their talents and interests through a variety of extracurricular activities, such as sports, music, drama, or clubs.

4. Denmark

Denmark is another European country that has long school hours, but also a high-quality and innovative education system. Danish students spend an average of 8.1 hours per day in school, which is slightly more than Ireland². They have a flexible and student-centered curriculum that allows them to choose their own subjects and projects, based on their interests and abilities. They also have a lot of freedom and autonomy in their learning, as they can work individually or in groups, use technology and resources, and interact with teachers and peers. Danish students are motivated to learn by intrinsic factors, such as curiosity, creativity, and collaboration.

3. Australia

Australia is the third country with the longest school hours per day in the world. Australian students spend an average of 8.2 hours per day in school, which is more than Denmark. They have a national curriculum that covers subjects such as English, mathematics, science, humanities and social sciences, languages, arts, health and physical education, and technologies. They also have to take standardized tests at different stages of their schooling, such as NAPLAN and ATAR. Australian students are exposed to a diverse and multicultural environment, as they can interact with people from different backgrounds and cultures.

2. India

India is the second country with the longest school hours per day in the world. Indian students spend an average of 8.3 hours per day in school, which is slightly more than Australia. They have a complex and varied education system that consists of different boards, such as CBSE, ICSE, state boards, or international boards. They have a broad and rigorous curriculum that covers subjects such as English, Hindi (or other regional languages), mathematics, science, social studies, arts, languages, moral education, and physical education. They also have to take competitive exams at the end of secondary and higher secondary education, such as NEET or JEE. Indian students face a lot of pressure and competition from their parents, teachers, and peers to achieve high marks and rankings.

1. France

France is the country with the longest school hours per day in the world. French students spend an average of 8.5 hours per day in school, which is much higher than the OECD average of 6.9 hours. They have a centralized and standardized education system that follows a national curriculum that covers subjects such as French, mathematics, science, history and geography, civic education, arts, languages, physical education, and philosophy. They also have to take national exams at the end of primary (CM2), lower secondary (brevet), and upper secondary (baccalauréat) education. French students have a long and intensive school day that starts from 8 a.m. to 4 or 5 p.m., with a lunch break of one or two hours. They also have to attend school on Saturdays for half a day.

Conclusion

As we have seen, there are significant differences in the school hours per day across the world. Some countries have longer school hours than others, but this does not necessarily mean that they have better or worse education systems. There are many factors that influence the quality and effectiveness of education, such as the curriculum content, teaching methods, assessment practices, student motivation, parental involvement, social support, and cultural values. Each country has its own strengths and weaknesses in its education system, and each student has his or her own preferences and needs in learning. Therefore, it is important to find a balance between the quantity and quality of school hours, and to respect the diversity and uniqueness of each country and student.

FAQs

• Q: Which country has the shortest school hours per day?
• A: According to the OECD data, Hungary has the shortest school hours per day among OECD countries, with an average of 5.1 hours. However, this does not include the time spent on homework or other activities outside school.
• Q: How do longer or shorter school hours affect student achievement?
• A: There is no clear evidence that longer or shorter school hours have a direct impact on student achievement. Some studies suggest that longer school hours may improve academic outcomes by providing more instructional time, while others argue that shorter school hours may enhance student well-being by reducing stress and fatigue. The quality of instruction, the relevance of curriculum, the engagement of students, and the support of teachers are more important factors than the length of school hours.
• Q: How do longer or shorter school hours affect student health?
• A: Longer or shorter school hours may have different effects on student health, depending on the individual characteristics and circumstances of each student. Some students may benefit from longer school hours by