In the world’s best education systems, being from a low-income family matters less – here’s why…
Lucy Crehan documented her experience of education systems across the world in Clever Lands, highlighting the following key reasons why some perform highly for low-income pupils:
1. High expectations for all students – in high-performing systems (e.g. Finland, Japan, Canada), teachers believe every child can succeed, regardless of background.
2. Delay academic selection and streaming – systems like Finland delay setting or tracking students into ability groups. Early selection tends to entrench social inequalities.
3. Strong, equitable school funding – successful systems direct more resources to schools serving poorer communities.
4. High-quality teachers everywhere – top systems ensure good teachers are not concentrated in affluent areas.
5. Structured, knowledge-rich curriculum – high-performing systems avoid leaving learning too dependent on parental support and home resources.
6. Intensive early intervention – identify struggling students early and intervene immediately.
7. Calm, orderly, low-stress environments – successful systems create focused classrooms with minimal disruption. Behaviour policies are consistent and predictable
8. Limited reliance on private tutoring – high-performing systems reduce dependence on tutoring, with schools themselves providing sufficient instruction and support.
9. Trust-based accountability – systems rely less on frequent standardised testing and instead focus on professional trust.
Which points above resonate the most with you?
