EDUCATION IN CANADA

Public education is managed by the provincial governments and paid for by taxes, and is available to every child. By law, children must attend school until the age of 15 or 16, depending on the province.

Ninety-five per cent of all children in Canada attend public schools. In some provinces there are separate public school boards reflecting religious and language preferences.

Generally the language of instruction is either English or French. If a student has difficulty with the language, he or she is usually given extra language training. In Quebec, almost all newcomers attend French language schools.

Approximately five per cent of students go to private schools, which charge school fees.

How many levels of instruction are there?
Depending on the individual province, primary education starts at pre-kindergarten and continues to the end of grade 6 or 8. This is followed by secondary education or high school. In some provinces this may be divided into junior high (grades 7 to 9) and senior high (grades 10-12). Normally, students must complete the required academic courses in high school in order to be admitted to university.

How do you enroll your children in school?
Parents must register children at the local school or school board office. School boards are listed in the provincial government section of the telephone book.

When you register your children, you must take with you:

Canada Immigration visa (Record of Landing)
Birth or baptismal certificate
Vaccination certificate
Any previous school records

Their language and mathematical skills will be measured, if necessary, and they will be placed in the program the school thinks is best for them. If you think that your children may have been incorrectly placed, talk to their teacher, guidance counselor or school principal.

How are children taught?
Boys and girls share classrooms and instruction in almost all public schools. Teachers in all provinces must be qualified and licensed. All academic teachers have at least one university degree and advanced qualifications in education.

Advanced Education

Where do you go for more education or training?
You can study towards a diploma in a trade, in technical or administrative skills at a community college, or a degree from a university. An undergraduate degree is required for acceptance into a professional course, such as law or medicine

If you have been practicing a profession or trade in your country of origin you may be expected to requalify in Canada. This will probably involve attending courses and gaining Canadian job experience.

What else are community colleges called?
The provinces have many names for community colleges, which do not grant an academic degree. They can be called:

colleges of applied arts and technology,
institutes of applied arts and sciences,
community colleges,
technical/vocational and university-oriented colleges,
institutes of technology or technical institutes,
in Quebec, they are known as collèges d'enseignement général et professionnel, or CEGEPs.

There are also training institutes specializing in fields such as forestry, fisheries and transportation.

In many cases, it is possible to transfer from community college to university. This should be confirmed with the schools ahead of time.

How long does it take to get a diploma from a community college?
It depends on your course of study and previous education. It is possible to earn a diploma in less than a year, particularly from colleges that run 12 months a year. Courses such as computer programming, communications or administration can take from two to three years.

Where can you get trade and technical training?
This varies from province to province. Generally, training is offered at community colleges or vocational canters. It is also sometimes available at work through government-funded training programs designed for particular regions or certain groups of people such as newcomers or Aboriginal Peoples.

How do you become registered to practice a trade?
Qualifications for trades such as hairdressers, electricians and carpenters are controlled in each province. You begin as an apprentice; after fulfilling the requirements of training, on-the job experience and examinations, you progress to becoming a registered trades person. If you move to another province, you may have to re-qualify.

How do you qualify for college or university entrance?
You must have a high school diploma or equivalent. Popular courses in colleges and universities get so many applications that you may need above average marks to be accepted. Apply at least a year in advance.

Many colleges and universities allow adults over 25 or 30 to enter as mature students, based on their individual abilities and background, rather than on previous education.

How long does it take to get a degree from a University?
The bachelor's degree (Bachelor of Arts - B.A., Bachelor of Science - B.Sc, etc.) normally takes three or four academic years of eight months each. An honours degree (B.A. Hon., B.Sc. Hon., etc.) usually requires four academic years. Some universities offer courses throughout the calendar year. This allows students to complete a degree more quickly. Or if you need to earn money for your education, you can work during some terms.

How much does it cost to get a diploma or degree?
You must pay fees to attend college or university. Tuition costs range from CND $3,000 to CND $9,000 for an eight-month term, depending on the province and the program.

Living expenses, books and supplies etc., are additional costs. Tuition fees cover about 25 per cent of the costs of higher education; the rest comes from taxes. Medicine, science and business programs generally cost more than the humanities and arts.

To help with university costs, scholarships, bursaries or student loans may be available, depending on how long the student has lived in Canada. Many university students have a part-time job. Many graduate students support themselves financially through bursaries, scholarships, loans or by working as teaching assistants.

How do you acquire professional qualifications?
To enter a law degree program (LL.B.), you usually need a bachelor's degree or at least two years of undergraduate courses, plus high marks in a standardized examination. The course of study lasts three years. After completing the program, law students article with a law firm for one year, and then pass bar examinations to be granted professional status.

Degrees in medicine (M.D.) normally take three to four years beyond qualifying undergraduate courses. Then medical students intern for one or two years, after which they are licensed by the provincial medical boards.

Lawyers or doctors who move to another province must requalify.

Graduate degrees take, on average, two years to the master's level, and a further three to six or more to the doctorate (Ph.D.).

Can you continue to improve your education?
Yes. Continuing education or lifetime learning is an important part of many Canadians' lives. Many people continue their education on a part-time basis at universities, colleges and through courses offered by public school boards or through their jobs.