But this is easily overcome: often (as with the Caixa's operation of the national student-loans scheme) the banks are simply acting as distributors of government funds in return for a fee.

ECONOMIST: Brazilian banking

During the admissions process, along with quoting the stated tuition, the school should inform all families of the real costs of operation on a per-student basis and, further, tell them that they will be expected to fill as much of the gap between tuition and cost as they are able with a donation.

FORBES: Do They Learn Enough Latin At Groton To Understand Quid Pro Quo ?

Scotland awaits publication in late 2013 of the Program for International Student Assessment (PISA) run by the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development.

BBC: A year in Scotland's education