Several global surveys rank Canada as one of the top countries with a well-developed public education system. At the same time, the country is currently one of the most preferred study-abroad destinations in the world. Over 100 private and public universities in Canada run 15000 degree programs tailored for students from foreign countries.
Several studies suggest the consistent growth of Canada’s global student population. At present, the country hosts over one million foreign students who have enrolled in various approved programs. The majority of these foreign students come from Asian countries like India and China. Foreign students join colleges and universities in Canada due to various reasons.
Firstly, the tuition fees in Canada are cheaper in comparison to other global education hubs. Secondly, eligible students can curb education expenses by availing of various scholarships. Thirdly, the study permit allows foreign students to take part-time or full-time jobs while studying in Canada. However, Canada, like other countries, has its own education system.
The Canadian education system provides a structure to various educational institutions by defining policies and practices. While evaluating study abroad programs in the country, students must understand the distinct education system in Canada. We are making it easier for foreign students to understand the Canadian education system by defining its important aspects.
Understanding Important Aspects of the Education System in Canada
Private and Public Educational Institutions
Schools, colleges, universities, and other educational institutions can be divided into two broad categories – private and public. Public schools offer free education to students from kindergarten to high school. Governments in states or territories fund these institutions from taxes collected from the public. Hence, school curriculums vary across states and territories.
On the other hand, private educational institutions offer education to students in lieu of tuition fees. They do not follow curriculums decided by the government authorities. Also, they offer courses independently to students regardless of the curriculum adopted by public schools in the particular territory.
Pre-Elementary Education
Kindergarten or early childhood education is the first stage in the education system in Canada. Children usually join kindergarten schools at the age of four. Pre-elementary education primarily focuses on the physical, emotional, intellectual, and social development of children. Teachers engage and enterprise students using gamification and storytelling techniques. Kindergarten curriculum includes subjects like mathematics, science, social studies, creative art, and physical education.
Primary Education
Primary education is the second stage in the Canadian education system. A student joins primary schools at the age of 6 and completes primary education at the age of 12 or 13. Primary school curriculums cover basic topics like science, social studies, language, and arts. In addition, they focus on the character development of students by making them realize the value of hard work, team collaboration, and respecting others.
Secondary Education
The third stage in the education system in Canada consists of intermediate and high school education. Students join intermediate education to prepare for formalized education and choose elective courses. They learn mathematics, science, social studies, language arts, and physical education in 7 grades before joining a high school.
High school education prepares students to take the Provincial Exam. Students prepare for the exam from 9 to 12 grades by choosing desired electives. In addition to educating students, the high school curriculum focuses on helping them develop in-demand job skills. However, the job skills acquired by students vary across territories.
Post-Secondary Education
Post-secondary education is the last stage in the education system in Canada. The final stage enhances students’ career prospects by earning degrees or certifications. After obtaining a high school diploma, a Canadian student can join various courses and certification programs offered by colleges and universities. The duration of post-secondary courses ranges between 6 months to 2 years. Most students complete their education by earning professional certifications in desired fields like healthcare and business administration.
Study Abroad Programs
Many colleges and universities make Canada an international education hub by supporting study-abroad programs. These study-abroad programs create opportunities for foreign students to pursue various courses in the country. Foreign students leverage the study abroad programs to pursue courses related to business, economics, geography, political science, and environmental science.
Language Learning
Educational institutions in Canada provide education in two languages – English and French. English remains the primary language in education, while many schools teach French as the second language. Language schools in Canada help local and foreign students upgrade their language skills by offering short-term language courses. Language proficiency helps foreign students complete courses and earn professional certifications.
Professional Certification Programs
Several colleges and professional associations in Canada run professional certification programs. These programs prepare students for specific jobs by acquiring knowledge, skills, and experience. Many students enhance their employment prospects by earning prestigious professional certifications. Likewise, working professionals enhance their career prospects by joining professional certification programs. Providers make it easier for students to secure professional certifications by supporting both online and classroom-based learning models.
Online Courses
The market insights shared by Statista forecast the consistent growth of the online education market in Canada. Most colleges and universities these days support online learning (eLearning). They facilitate remote and self-paced learning by implementing and integrating cloud-based eLearning tools like online classroom software, learning management systems (LMS), and digital library software.
The online courses enable local and foreign students to secure professional certifications by acquiring knowledge and developing skills at their own pace. Also, a student these days has the option to join several online courses and certification programs according to his career goals. That is why; several studies suggest a surge in student penetration in the online education market in the country.
Conclusion
As one of the top study-abroad destinations in the world, Canada currently hosts over one million foreign students from various regions. Educational institutions in the country improve the quality of learning by complying with the standards set by governments. The standards and guidelines make the education system in Canada different from other global education hubs. Hence, foreign students must understand important aspects of the education system in Canada while considering study-abroad programs.
