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Canada- Facts And Figures

Education in Canada
Education has two main goals: to give individuals the opportunity to develop
themselves, and to provide society with the skills it needs to evolve in its best
interests. Canada's educational system is based on finding a coordinated approach
to the pursuit of these sometimes conflicting goals. Comprehensive, diversified, and
available to everyone, the system reflects the Canadian belief in the importance of
education.

Education in Canada consists of 10 provincial and two territorial systems, including
public schools, "separate" (i.e., denominational) schools, and private schools.
Children are required by law to attend school from the age of 6 or 7 until they are
15 or 16. To make it possible to fulfil this obligation, all non-private education
through secondary (or "high") school is publicly funded. In Quebec, general and
vocational colleges (CEGEPs, or Colleges d'enseignement général et professionnel)
are also publicly funded and require only a minimal registration fee. Most other
post-secondary schools, however, charge tuition fees.

A provincial responsibility

Unlike many other industrialized countries, Canada has no federal educational
system: the Constitution vested the exclusive responsibility for education in the
provinces. Each provincial system, while similar to the others, reflects its particular
region, history, and culture. The provincial departments of education--headed by an
elected minister--set standards, draw up curriculums, and give grants to educational
institutions.

Responsibility for the administration of elementary and secondary schools is
delegated to local elected school boards or commissions. The boards set budgets, hire
and negotiate with teachers, and shape school curriculums within provincial
guidelines.

A broad federal role

The federal government plays an indirect but vital role in education. It provides
financial support for post-secondary education, labour market...