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CHAPTER 1. CHAPTER . QUANTITATIVE EXPANSIONOF EDUCATION

Comparing the percentage which the number of upper secondary graduates entering institutions of higher education is of the total population of corresponding age in the selected countries, Japan exceeded the United Kingdom, the Federal Republic of Germany and France, though only one-third as high as the U.S.A. In the average rate of increase during the past five years, Japan and the Federal Republic of Germany exceeded the other nations.

Table 15. Percentage of the Age Group Entering Higher Education in Major Countries

As the institutions of higher education in European countries were established for the purpose of providing academic study for the elite and they have developed under this line, the enrollment percentages are very low. Institutions of higher education in the U.S.A., on the other hand, aim to provide both general and professional education to all who are capable of profiting therefrom, so they provide equal opportunity for all upper secondary school graduates. According to this principle, the percentage in the U.S.A. is much higher than those of European countries. As the institutions of higher education in Japan were greatly influenced by introduction of the ideals and system of education in the U.S.A. after World War , the percentage of enrollment in higher education in Japan is higher than those of European countries.

However, even in the European countries where higher educational opportunities were limited, the opportunity for education has been expanded to a great extent. This improved opportunity for higher education is largely due to the increase in the demand for university graduates, concurrent with the rapid development of science and technology, and the rapid social and economic progress. Some of European governments are presently positively preparing plans for expansion of higher education.