COMPARATIVE EDUCATION

COMPARATIVE EDUCATION I think comparison has always happens in our life not only in education.   We compare to others or the standard create by humans and recognized by all.   We compare to improve and revise what we do or have. Let's focus on education. In education we compare with others who are better than us to be as good as them at least or even better.  The basic level would be the comparison of grades among our students.  The students would feel very proud if they perform better than their friends.  In bigger and higher level we compare more; analysis and evaluate many aspects the academic performance, the effectiveness of plans or programmes, the effects of economy, social and politic factors and many more.  We have intra and inter-....(country, state or district) levels, one unit and more units comparison and basic or advanced levels.  I believe comparison in education is crucial as from the results we know where we stand in the norms or standard.  We could also analyse the result and evaluate them.  Hence improvement or alter could be done to the previous plan.  Comparative education brings forth the importance and vitality of a multi disciplinary approach in analysing and evaluation of education as it is conducted and understood in various region of the world.  Although globalisation (or Westernisation?) of the world is arguably affecting and homogenising societies there still exist vital differences in culture, set up, demographics, politics, weltanschauung, or ideologies. These must be considered before any effort to emulate or replicate success stories less it be the downfall of governments or institutions. Especially so for educators or scholars of education in our enthusiasm caution must be exercise. Is the implementation of sex education in the curriculum going to be a success story or a cautionary tale? What language to emphasise as the medium of instruction? Indigenous or the perceived language of technology and the future? These are some areas that comparative education may shed some interesting and fresh perspective. In addition, knowledge of other areas is vital to be mastered or at least familiarised apart for the traditional affinity of education with psychology. Politics, developmental studies, sociology, anthropology, economics, economics history, history, language and even religion are some of the areas that can be explored as it affects upon education’s aim, philosophy, appropriate pedagogical strategies, or even education institution structure. Having said that, it seems intimidating with such a vast unfamiliar area for most to read.