US governor candidate: American students trail China by 4 years

Vivek Ramaswamy, an Indian-American entrepreneur and Republican candidate for governor of Ohio, recently stated on social media that "the average student in China is a full 4 years ahead of the average US student in academic performance."

He also pledged to revitalize Ohio's education system and, in an accompanying video of a speech, emphasized the urgent need to address what he described as an "education achievement crisis" affecting both Ohio and the United States at large.

Ramaswamy's remarks sparked lively debate online. Some users agreed, with one suggesting that Ramaswamy "ask China for some advice."

While one user argued that the four-year gap might be overstated due to differences in educational systems and standards, another responded by stressing the importance of foundational learning, saying "you can't excel without it."

Another user criticized declining academic standards in the United States, saying the country needs "a culture that values mastery, not just metrics."

While some commenters expressed skepticism, noting that education reform is a challenge no single state can solve alone, others voiced strong support for Ramaswamy's call to action.