The answers show that the development of public education and family policy largely determine where in the world it is good to be a child today, reports Blikk following a survey by usnews.com. The respondents had to express their opinions on eight factors: human rights, gender equality, income equality, security, development of the public education system, development of the public health system, family-friendly, happiness.
Here are the top 5 countries where it is best to be a child today.
In Sweden, parents receive 480 days of paid maternity leave, also in case of adoption. The Swedes believe that the best way to shape society is through education, which is why they spend a lot of money on it. Education is free: textbooks, as well as all equipment (including laptops, tablets), meals and trips are paid for from the state budget. Less emphasis is placed on subject knowledge, the emphasis is on skill development.
In Norway, parents can choose to take 49 weeks of paid leave, or perhaps 59 weeks of maternity leave with 80 percent of their salary. Like the one in Sweden, the Norwegian education system is completely free. The emphasis is placed on getting to know the world, and on knowledge that can be applied in everyday life. For them, equality is a basic principle: they do not stress the child, and the word competition is essentially unknown to them.
In Finland, pregnant women can take 40 working days of paid leave, and both parents are entitled to 160 working days of leave. In the Finnish education system, only higher education is paid. During education, the children’s individual needs and abilities are fully taken into account. In addition, teachers can choose the textbooks, educational aids and the pedagogical method themselves.
In Denmark, both parents are entitled to 24 weeks of paid parental leave after the arrival of the baby and 4 weeks before the expected date of birth. In Danish education, children are mostly taught to think. Furthermore, they consider it important that the students feel good while completing the tasks. Singing and exercising in the open air are part of everyday school life.
In the Netherlands, one parent gets 26 weeks of parental leave after the birth of a child. Of these, nine weeks are paid leave. The other parent is entitled to 6 weeks of paid leave, which must be taken within six months of the baby’s birth. Learning critical thinking and cooperation plays an important role in Dutch education. The emphasis is not on material knowledge, but rather on skill development and thinking together.
