Countries with the toughest education systems - in pictures

South Korean students take the Suneung university entrance exam at a school in Seoul. Reuters
South Korean students take the Suneung university entrance exam at a school in Seoul. Reuters
Pupils at Eestinkallio primary school in Espoo, Finland. AFP
Pupils at Eestinkallio primary school in Espoo, Finland. AFP
Pre-school children go on an outing in Singapore. AFP
Pre-school children go on an outing in Singapore. AFP
Pupils do their morning exercise at a school on the outskirts of Beijing, China. AFP
Pupils do their morning exercise at a school on the outskirts of Beijing, China. AFP
A lesson at a middle school in Tokyo, Japan. AFP
A lesson at a middle school in Tokyo, Japan. AFP
Pupils at Creative Secondary School in Hong Kong take the Diploma of Secondary Education exams. AFP
Pupils at Creative Secondary School in Hong Kong take the Diploma of Secondary Education exams. AFP
Home time at an elementary school in Xindian district, New Taipei City, Taiwan. AFP
Home time at an elementary school in Xindian district, New Taipei City, Taiwan. AFP
A self-defence class at Mbuyisa Makhubu Primary School in the South African township of Soweto. AFP
A self-defence class at Mbuyisa Makhubu Primary School in the South African township of Soweto. AFP
A student wears a mortar board reading 'Next Stop Everywhere' as she graduates from Rutgers University in New Jersey, US. Reuters
A student wears a mortar board reading 'Next Stop Everywhere' as she graduates from Rutgers University in New Jersey, US. Reuters
Pupils working hard at a village school in Brodi, in Russia's Novgorod region. AFP
Pupils working hard at a village school in Brodi, in Russia's Novgorod region. AFP