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New Zealand's private schools are knocking their British counterparts off the top of the global league table for English-speaking education, international research suggests.
The findings could give New Zealand an edge over Britain among wealthy Asians seeking the best education for their children - particularly since New Zealand's top schools are generally cheaper, London's Financial Times newspaper reports.
Among English-speaking countries, New Zealand tops the table of private schools in the Pisa education survey, published by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development, in maths and in science.
British private schools beat their New Zealand counterparts only in reading.
The findings, included in the voluminous Pisa 2006 results published this month, come at a time when British private schools - which have historically dominated the market for international high school students - are finding it harder to attract large numbers of foreign pupils.
Rising teacher pay has increased costs at British schools and the strong pound has also made the schools more expensive for families who are based overseas.
This year's annual fees at Eton College were £26,490 ($68,580). This compares with $30,727 to $40,000 for overseas students at King's College in Auckland.
Lynda Reid, principal of St Cuthbert's College, an Auckland girls' school, said: "New Zealand independent schools represent the best value on the planet."
She said there was also "a perception" among parents that New Zealand was safer "to send your 14 or 15-year-old daughter to than the UK or the US".
United States private schools ranked below both British and New Zealand schools where figures were available for comparison.
- NZPA
