"When working in rural schools in the UK I have encountered many students whose parents, and therefore their children, place little value on education. "
Yeah, this would be very weird attitude in finland (where I'm at). Not unheard of but very rare.
Of authorities (and just anecdotal commentary):
Please correct me if I'm wrong but in the practical side one of the biggest differences in the finnish school system when compared to UK is that the formal education seems to kick in later (as I understand it) and with less work load. I.e. the kids are not expected to start doing any homework until they are 7 and the workloads are quite light.
This has been the case for over 30 years. Perhaps this also affects attitudes - the workload is not overbearing and no-one gets left behind.
Yeah, this would be very weird attitude in finland (where I'm at). Not unheard of but very rare.
Of authorities (and just anecdotal commentary):
Please correct me if I'm wrong but in the practical side one of the biggest differences in the finnish school system when compared to UK is that the formal education seems to kick in later (as I understand it) and with less work load. I.e. the kids are not expected to start doing any homework until they are 7 and the workloads are quite light.
This has been the case for over 30 years. Perhaps this also affects attitudes - the workload is not overbearing and no-one gets left behind.