School hours vary widely across the world, depending on the national and regional priorities, preferences, and cultures. Some countries have shorter school days but longer school years, while others have longer school days but fewer school days in a year. Some countries also have different schedules for different levels of education, such as primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary.
In this blog post, we will look at the top 10 countries with the longest school hours per day, based on the data from Education at a Glance 2021, a report by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). The report covers 46 countries and economies, including 37 OECD members and nine partner countries and economies. The data refers to the intended instruction time in public institutions for students aged 7 to 14, which corresponds to primary and lower secondary education in most countries.
10. Japan
Japan is known for its high academic standards and competitive education system. Japanese students spend an average of 7.5 hours per day in school, which is higher than the OECD average of 6.4 hours. However, this does not include the time spent on homework, private tutoring, or extracurricular activities, which are very common in Japan. Japanese students also have a relatively short summer vacation of about six weeks, compared to other countries.
9. Chile
Chile is one of the Latin American countries that has made significant progress in education in recent years. Chilean students spend an average of 7.6 hours per day in school, which is also higher than the OECD average. Chile has a compulsory education system that lasts for 12 years, from age 6 to 18. Chilean schools also offer a variety of elective courses and extracurricular activities for students to choose from.
8. China
China is another country with a rigorous and demanding education system, especially in urban areas. Chinese students spend an average of 7.7 hours per day in school, but this may vary depending on the region and the level of education. For example, in Shanghai, one of the most developed cities in China, students spend 8 hours per day in school from Monday to Friday, and have half a day of school on Saturday. Chinese students also have to take national exams at the end of each stage of education, which are highly competitive and influential for their future prospects.
7. Argentina
Argentina is the third Latin American country on this list, with an average of 7.8 hours per day spent in school by students aged 7 to 14. Argentina has a compulsory education system that lasts for 14 years, from age 5 to 18. Argentine schools follow a national curriculum that covers basic subjects such as language, mathematics, science, social studies, art, and physical education. Argentine students also have access to various extracurricular activities and cultural programs offered by schools.
6. Mexico
Mexico is the fourth Latin American country on this list, with an average of 8 hours per day spent in school by students aged 7 to 14. Mexico has a compulsory education system that lasts for 12 years, from age 6 to 18. Mexican schools follow a national curriculum that covers basic subjects such as Spanish, mathematics, science, social studies, art, and physical education. Mexican students also have access to various extracurricular activities and cultural programs offered by schools.
5. Costa Rica
Costa Rica is the fifth and final Latin American country on this list, with an average of 8 hours per day spent in school by students aged 7 to 14. Costa Rica has a compulsory education system that lasts for 11 years, from age 6 to 17. Costa Rican schools follow a national curriculum that covers basic subjects such as Spanish, mathematics, science, social studies, art, and physical education. Costa Rican students also have access to various extracurricular activities and cultural programs offered by schools.
4. South Korea
South Korea is one of the Asian countries that has achieved remarkable results in education in recent decades. South Korean students spend an average of 8 hours per day in school, but this does not include the time spent on homework, private tutoring, or extracurricular activities, which are very common in South Korea. South Korean students also have to take national exams at the end of each stage of education, which are highly competitive and influential for their future prospects.
3. Russia
Russia is one of the European countries that has a long tradition of excellence in education. Russian students spend an average of 8 hours per day in school, but this may vary depending on the region and the level of education. For example, in Moscow, one of the most developed cities in Russia, students spend 8.5 hours per day in school from Monday to Friday, and have half a day of school on Saturday. Russian students also have to take national exams at the end of each stage of education, which are highly competitive and influential for their future prospects.
2. India
India is one of the most populous and diverse countries in the world, with a complex and varied education system. Indian students spend an average of 8.1 hours per day in school, but this may vary depending on the state, the type of school, and the level of education. For example, in Kerala, one of the most literate states in India, students spend 9 hours per day in school from Monday to Friday, and have half a day of school on Saturday. Indian students also have to take national or state exams at the end of each stage of education, which are highly competitive and influential for their future prospects.
1. Australia
Australia is the country with the longest school hours per day on this list, with an average of 8.2 hours per day spent in school by students aged 7 to 14. Australia has a compulsory education system that lasts for 13 years, from age 6 to 18. Australian schools follow a national curriculum that covers basic subjects such as English, mathematics, science, social studies, art, and physical education. Australian students also have access to various extracurricular activities and cultural programs offered by schools.