RIAC Reader

Elementary Education in the World

School stages, School types, Legislation, Specifics
RIAC Reader

Elementary Education
in the World

School stages, School types, Legislation, Specifics
Back in the late 19th century, education was elitist. The transition to mass education was the most important development in this sphere over the past 150 years. The idea that education was not a he-reditary privilege but a common good, which should be available regardless of income, social origin, nationality or religious affiliation gained ground practically all over the world.

Mixed schooling systems or co-education, i.e. when boys and girls attend the same school, has be-come the main development in secondary education in most countries around the world over the last century and a half. With regard to culture, this is an extremely important change, since the school is a model of society, and the task of child socialization is no less significant than that of knowledge transfer.

Social attitudes in the 21 century will be shaped by creative and intellectual potential rather than gender, and education will play a major role in this process. Career prospects and professional de-velopment will also be less dependent on gender differences. Education is a means of social mobility and brings to naught class privileges, irrespective of gender.

We can assert with certainty that modern schooling has undergone a shift and now focuses mainly on developing students' research skills. Its task is to teach systematic learning as well as independ-ence and responsibility.

The countries that have made a shift towards research competency, independent decision-making and personal involvement in choosing educational paths achieve the best results in this international ranking. Given that the development and introduction of new educational solutions based on new technologies takes about 40-50 years, we have reason to assume that in 100 years, the shift towards the formation of research competencies will continue.

Read full article "Education in 100 Years: Challenges from the World Beyond"

Canada

— Total spending on primary and secondary education: around 5,4% of GDP

Canada

Total spending on primary and secondary education: around 5,4% of GDP.

Education is a provincial responsibility under the Canadian constitution, which means there are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces. In each of the 13 jurisdictions, one or two ministries or departments of education are responsible for organization, delivery and assessment of its education system. In several provinces, elementary/secondary education and post-secondary education are the responsibility of separate ministries or departments.

School year starts in September and lasts until end of June. Students have Christmas and Mid-Winter break as well as other short breaks for religious holidays. Some schools use semester system. Students have up to 7-8 lessons a day 5 days a week. The academic year typically has 180 school days (190 in Quebec).

School stages

Canada has a K12 system, similar to the US one – Kindergarten+12 years of school. School is compulsory from 6-7 to 16 or 18, depending on the province or territory.

Elementary school (7-11 years), junior high (12-14), senior high (15-18).

High school students take the General Educational Development (GED) Diploma before completing high school, which is the recognized entrance qualification for admission to a Canadian university

New Brunswick launched the Labour Force and Skills Development Strategy (2013) to strengthen student pathways, support learning and skills development retain/attract and skilled individuals to participate in the New Brunswick labour market.

The CMEC Early Learning and Development Framework (2014) presents a pan-Canadian vision for early learning to be adapted to the needs and circumstances of each province and territory.

School types

Publicly-funded schools are managed at the local level by elected school boards. Almost all public schools are co-educational and offer day programs only. Up to 95% of families choose public schools.

Many school boards offer secular or non-religious education while others have religious affiliations. However, this varies from province to province.

Specifics

- Students may continue to attend high school until the ages of 19 to 21 (the cut-off age for high school varies between provinces). Those 19 and over may attend adult school.

- Students of high school age who have received long-term suspensions or have been expelled, or are otherwise unable or unwilling to attend conventional schools may be offered alternative learning options to complete their secondary education, such as drop-in programs, night school, or distance/online classes.

- French and foreign languages, which used to be taught only at high schools, are now introduced during the last few years of elementary school in some areas and, if you wish, your child can enter an 'early French immersion programme' at kindergarten or grade 1 level.

Education is a provincial responsibility under the Canadian constitution, which means there are significant differences between the education systems of the different provinces. In each of the 13 jurisdictions, one or two ministries or departments of education are responsible for organization, delivery and assessment of its education system. In several provinces, elementary/secondary education and post-secondary education are the responsibility of separate ministries or departments.

School year starts in September and lasts until end of June. Students have Christmas and Mid-Winter break as well as other short breaks for religious holidays. Some schools use semester system. Students have up to 7-8 lessons a day 5 days a week. The academic year typically has 180 school days (190 in Quebec).

School stages

Canada has a K12 system, similar to the US one – Kindergarten+12 years of school. School is compulsory from 6-7 to 16 or 18, depending on the province or territory.

Elementary school (7-11 years), junior high (12-14), senior high (15-18).

High school students take the General Educational Development (GED) Diploma before completing high school, which is the recognized entrance qualification for admission to a Canadian university

New Brunswick launched the Labour Force and Skills Development Strategy (2013) to strengthen student pathways, support learning and skills development retain/attract and skilled individuals to participate in the New Brunswick labour market.

The CMEC Early Learning and Development Framework (2014) presents a pan-Canadian vision for early learning to be adapted to the needs and circumstances of each province and territory.

School types

Publicly-funded schools are managed at the local level by elected school boards. Almost all public schools are co-educational and offer day programs only. Up to 95% of families choose public schools.

Many school boards offer secular or non-religious education while others have religious affiliations. However, this varies from province to province.

Specifics

- Students may continue to attend high school until the ages of 19 to 21 (the cut-off age for high school varies between provinces). Those 19 and over may attend adult school.

- Students of high school age who have received long-term suspensions or have been expelled, or are otherwise unable or unwilling to attend conventional schools may be offered alternative learning options to complete their secondary education, such as drop-in programs, night school, or distance/online classes.

- French and foreign languages, which used to be taught only at high schools, are now introduced during the last few years of elementary school in some areas and, if you wish, your child can enter an 'early French immersion programme' at kindergarten or grade 1 level.

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Denmark

— total expenditure on educational institutions of 7.9% of its GDP

Denmark


The Danish public schooling and education system is financed by taxes and therefore primary and lower secondary education in Denmark is free of charge. Municipalities are responsible for primary and lower secondary education.

There are also a number of private schools, including international schools with partial parental payment. Five in six children attend a public school (folkeskole) and one in six attends a private school. Private schools in Denmark can be roughly divided into the following categories: small independent schools in rural districts (friskoler), large independent schools in urban districts (privatskoler), religious or congregational schools, progressive free schools, and schools with a particular educational aim, such as the Rudolf Steiner schools, German minority schools, and immigrant schools. A school year starts in August and lasts till June of the following year. Pupils in Denmark have 200 school days in total.

Education is compulsory in Denmark for everyone between the ages of 6-7 and 16.

School stages

The Folkeskole consists of one year of pre-school class, nine years of primary and lower secondary education and a one-year 10th form.

Education during the nine years of primary and lower secondary schooling is distributed within three subject areas and includes the following compulsory subjects for all students: Subjects in the humanities (Danish, English, Christian Studies, History and Social Studies), Practical/Creative subjects (Physical education, Music, Visual arts, Design, Wood and metalwork, Home economics), and Science Subjects (Mathematics, Natural sciences/technology, Geography, Biology, Physics/chemistry).

Road safety, Health and sexual education and family studies, and Educational, vocational and labour market orientation are also compulsory parts of the education programme in the primary schools.

The Danish Folkeskole is not an examination-oriented school.

As a part of the process of evaluating the students' learning outcomes, a range of obligatory national tests have been introduced. The tests are used in order to be able to follow an individual student's acquisition of knowledge and skills so that the education process can be planned to a greater extent according to the individual student's strengths, weaknesses and potential.

School-Leaving Examinations


At the conclusion of form levels 9 and 10, Folkeskole students sit for school-exit examinations. This is compulsory after form level 9 but voluntary after the 10th. Students must sit for examinations in a total of seven subjects. Five of the subjects are compulsory for all students: written and oral examinations in Danish, a written examination in mathematics and oral examinations in English and science/chemistry. Moreover, each student must additionally sit for two examinations that are drawn at random, one from the humanities group, which includes written English as well as French or German, history, social studies and Christian studies, and one from the science group, which consists of geography or biology.

Education policies

The Danish government has acceded to the EU headline targets for education set out in the Europe 2020 strategy to reduce drop-out rates to 10 % for 18-24-year-olds as well as to increase the proportion of 30-34-year-olds having completed a higher or equivalent education to at least 40 %.

Specifics

National Testing is computer-based and adaptive, meaning that the tests are continuously adapted to the individual student. If a student answers a question incorrectly, then they are given an easier question; if the student answers correctly, they are given a more difficult question. In this way, it is assured that the tests provide a precise picture of each student's academic level. No two students receive the exact same test. It is therefore not be possible to make internal comparative evaluations of the tests within a specific class.
Total expenditure on educational institutions of 7.9% of its GDP.

The Danish public schooling and education system is financed by taxes and therefore primary and lower secondary education in Denmark is free of charge. Municipalities are responsible for primary and lower secondary education.

There are also a number of private schools, including international schools with partial parental payment. Five in six children attend a public school (folkeskole) and one in six attends a private school. Private schools in Denmark can be roughly divided into the following categories: small independent schools in rural districts (friskoler), large independent schools in urban districts (privatskoler), religious or congregational schools, progressive free schools, and schools with a particular educational aim, such as the Rudolf Steiner schools, German minority schools, and immigrant schools. A school year starts in August and lasts till June of the following year. Pupils in Denmark have 200 school days in total.

Education is compulsory in Denmark for everyone between the ages of 6-7 and 16.

School stages

The Folkeskole consists of one year of pre-school class, nine years of primary and lower secondary education and a one-year 10th form.

Education during the nine years of primary and lower secondary schooling is distributed within three subject areas and includes the following compulsory subjects for all students: Subjects in the humanities (Danish, English, Christian Studies, History and Social Studies), Practical/Creative subjects (Physical education, Music, Visual arts, Design, Wood and metalwork, Home economics), and Science Subjects (Mathematics, Natural sciences/technology, Geography, Biology, Physics/chemistry).

Road safety, Health and sexual education and family studies, and Educational, vocational and labour market orientation are also compulsory parts of the education programme in the primary schools.

The Danish Folkeskole is not an examination-oriented school.

As a part of the process of evaluating the students' learning outcomes, a range of obligatory national tests have been introduced. The tests are used in order to be able to follow an individual student's acquisition of knowledge and skills so that the education process can be planned to a greater extent according to the individual student's strengths, weaknesses and potential.

School-Leaving Examinations


At the conclusion of form levels 9 and 10, Folkeskole students sit for school-exit examinations. This is compulsory after form level 9 but voluntary after the 10th. Students must sit for examinations in a total of seven subjects. Five of the subjects are compulsory for all students: written and oral examinations in Danish, a written examination in mathematics and oral examinations in English and science/chemistry. Moreover, each student must additionally sit for two examinations that are drawn at random, one from the humanities group, which includes written English as well as French or German, history, social studies and Christian studies, and one from the science group, which consists of geography or biology.

Education policies

The Danish government has acceded to the EU headline targets for education set out in the Europe 2020 strategy to reduce drop-out rates to 10 % for 18-24-year-olds as well as to increase the proportion of 30-34-year-olds having completed a higher or equivalent education to at least 40 %.

Specifics

National Testing is computer-based and adaptive, meaning that the tests are continuously adapted to the individual student. If a student answers a question incorrectly, then they are given an easier question; if the student answers correctly, they are given a more difficult question. In this way, it is assured that the tests provide a precise picture of each student's academic level. No two students receive the exact same test. It is therefore not be possible to make internal comparative evaluations of the tests within a specific class.
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France

— Total spending on primary and secondary education: around 6% in 2012

France


All educational programmes in France are regulated by the Ministry of National Education (officially called Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de la Jeunesse et de la Vie associative). The head of the ministry is the Minister of National Education.

The school year starts at the beginning of September. French schools have long holidays – a two-month summer holiday starting in July, two or three weeks at Christmas and Easter, as well as half term breaks. Over the year primary school children attend school for 140 days over 36 weeks

Education is compulsory in France from the ages of 6 to 16, but a large majority of children start school well before the minimum age, often as young as two years old, and over 50% of 18-21 year olds in France are still in full-time education, or else following a vocational training course.

School types

Over 80% of school pupils are in state schools, but this leaves a substantial minority of almost 20% who attend private schools. Private schools in France are essentially (about 90%) Catholic schools, in which there is religious instruction in the curriculum.

Ecole primaire, or Ecole élémentaire

Primary school, grade school. Five classes, ages 6 to 11. The primary school curriculum in France is similar to that in other countries, and includes literacy and numeracy, with classes in French, arithmetic, but also geography and history, the arts, and more and more frequently a foreign language, usually English.

Collège

Middle school. Four levels, normally for pupils aged 11 - 15. The "collège unique" is the backbone of the French school system. All pupils go to collège, usually at age 11, but sometimes at an older age, if they had to repeat a year in primary school. The collège is designed to provide all pupils with a fundamental secondary education, after which a certain degree of specialisation will be introduced. The programme in collège includes French, maths, history, geography, technical education, art/music, physical education, civic education, some science, and at least one foreign language. The four classes, corresponding to grades 6 to 9, are called sixième, cinquième, quatrième and troisième.

Lycée

High School. The traditional French lycée covers the last three years of secondary education. There are two main types of traditional lycée, the lycée général or lycée classique, and the lycée technique. Classes in a traditional lycée cover the same range as in collège, with the addition of philosophy (for all) in the final year. The three classes (grades 10 to 12) are known as seconde, première and terminale. Pupils in a lycée technique may begin to specialize in a fairly narrow technical field, in addition to their general secondary studies. There are technical lycées specializing in fields such as microtechnologies or aeronautics. Technical lycées that provide training in very specialized fields are usually boarding schools, since they recruit pupils from a large neighborhood area, and even on occasions from all over France.

The Baccalaureate is the final exam of a school pupil's life: the diploma that acts both as an assessment for the three years of secondary school (lycée) and as a doorway to higher education.

Today it is divided into three sectors: General, Technological and Vocational.

For entrance to regular universities within France there are some restrictions as to the type of baccalauréat that can be presented. In some cases, it may be possible to enter a French university without the bac by taking a special exam, the diploma for entrance to higher education. Though most students take the bac at the end of secondary school, it is also possible to enter as a candidat libre (literally, "free candidate") without affiliation to a school. Students who did not take the bac upon completion of secondary school (or did not manage to pass it) and would like to attend university, or feel that the bac would help them accomplish professional aspirations, may exercise this option.

Education policies

In 2015 the French government proposed controversial educational reforms to the collége system (middle school for ages 11–15), to make it less elitist and give all pupils, whatever their background, the same educational opportunities. These involve the teaching of modern languages and history, encouraging teachers to work together to teach topics across different themes in interdisciplinary classes (the traditional French way is one teacher-one subject), reinforcing secular values and allowing schools to set part of the curriculum themselves.

Specifics

Private schools in France only charge symbolic or low fees, and are accessible to pupils from all sectors of society, not just to those whose parents are well-off. There are only a handful of fee-paying boarding schools in France, similar to the English "public schools".

The state education system attaches great importance to the principle of secularism, and there is no formal teaching of religion in state schools in France.

The French don't necessarily expect children to have 'fun' at school. Sports and creative activities are encouraged but generally organized by community or private associations, not by the schools.

The teachers in public primary and secondary schools are all state civil servants, making the ministère the largest employer in the country. Professors and researchers in France's universities are also employed by the state.
Total spending on primary and secondary education: around 6% in 2012.

All educational programmes in France are regulated by the Ministry of National Education (officially called Ministère de l'Éducation nationale, de la Jeunesse et de la Vie associative). The head of the ministry is the Minister of National Education.

The school year starts at the beginning of September. French schools have long holidays – a two-month summer holiday starting in July, two or three weeks at Christmas and Easter, as well as half term breaks. Over the year primary school children attend school for 140 days over 36 weeks

Education is compulsory in France from the ages of 6 to 16, but a large majority of children start school well before the minimum age, often as young as two years old, and over 50% of 18-21 year olds in France are still in full-time education, or else following a vocational training course.

School types

Over 80% of school pupils are in state schools, but this leaves a substantial minority of almost 20% who attend private schools. Private schools in France are essentially (about 90%) Catholic schools, in which there is religious instruction in the curriculum.

Ecole primaire, or Ecole élémentaire

Primary school, grade school. Five classes, ages 6 to 11. The primary school curriculum in France is similar to that in other countries, and includes literacy and numeracy, with classes in French, arithmetic, but also geography and history, the arts, and more and more frequently a foreign language, usually English.

Collège

Middle school. Four levels, normally for pupils aged 11 - 15. The "collège unique" is the backbone of the French school system. All pupils go to collège, usually at age 11, but sometimes at an older age, if they had to repeat a year in primary school. The collège is designed to provide all pupils with a fundamental secondary education, after which a certain degree of specialisation will be introduced. The programme in collège includes French, maths, history, geography, technical education, art/music, physical education, civic education, some science, and at least one foreign language. The four classes, corresponding to grades 6 to 9, are called sixième, cinquième, quatrième and troisième.

Lycée

High School. The traditional French lycée covers the last three years of secondary education. There are two main types of traditional lycée, the lycée général or lycée classique, and the lycée technique. Classes in a traditional lycée cover the same range as in collège, with the addition of philosophy (for all) in the final year. The three classes (grades 10 to 12) are known as seconde, première and terminale. Pupils in a lycée technique may begin to specialize in a fairly narrow technical field, in addition to their general secondary studies. There are technical lycées specializing in fields such as microtechnologies or aeronautics. Technical lycées that provide training in very specialized fields are usually boarding schools, since they recruit pupils from a large neighborhood area, and even on occasions from all over France.

The Baccalaureate is the final exam of a school pupil's life: the diploma that acts both as an assessment for the three years of secondary school (lycée) and as a doorway to higher education.

Today it is divided into three sectors: General, Technological and Vocational.

For entrance to regular universities within France there are some restrictions as to the type of baccalauréat that can be presented. In some cases, it may be possible to enter a French university without the bac by taking a special exam, the diploma for entrance to higher education. Though most students take the bac at the end of secondary school, it is also possible to enter as a candidat libre (literally, "free candidate") without affiliation to a school. Students who did not take the bac upon completion of secondary school (or did not manage to pass it) and would like to attend university, or feel that the bac would help them accomplish professional aspirations, may exercise this option.

Education policies

In 2015 the French government proposed controversial educational reforms to the collége system (middle school for ages 11–15), to make it less elitist and give all pupils, whatever their background, the same educational opportunities. These involve the teaching of modern languages and history, encouraging teachers to work together to teach topics across different themes in interdisciplinary classes (the traditional French way is one teacher-one subject), reinforcing secular values and allowing schools to set part of the curriculum themselves.

Specifics

Private schools in France only charge symbolic or low fees, and are accessible to pupils from all sectors of society, not just to those whose parents are well-off. There are only a handful of fee-paying boarding schools in France, similar to the English "public schools".

The state education system attaches great importance to the principle of secularism, and there is no formal teaching of religion in state schools in France.

The French don't necessarily expect children to have 'fun' at school. Sports and creative activities are encouraged but generally organized by community or private associations, not by the schools.

The teachers in public primary and secondary schools are all state civil servants, making the ministère the largest employer in the country. Professors and researchers in France's universities are also employed by the state.

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Germany

— Total spending on education: 4,94% of the total GDP in 2012

Germany


The education system in Germany varies from state to state, although the basic K-12 system is fairly uniform. Education is the responsibility of each of the 16 German states (Bundesländer), but there is a national conference of state education ministers (Kultusministerkonferenz, KMK) that serves to coordinate educational practices at the national level.

School types: In addition to Germany's extensive public school system, there are also some private and parochial schools. In all of Germany, a country of 80 million people, there are only about 2,500 private and parochial schools, including boarding schools (Internate).

The school year consists of two semesters and normally starts around the middle to end of August. There are longer breaks at Christmas and in the summer. Shorter breaks are around Easter and in autumn. There is no school on public holidays. The Christmas break is usually 2 weeks and the summer break is about 6 weeks. German students at public schools attend school in the morning. Classes normally start between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. and can end between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. Class periods are normally 45 minutes long with a short break in between. The school year lasts from 188 to 208 days.

School stages: School is compulsory for nine or ten years. From grades 1 through 4 children attend elementary school (Grundschule), where the subjects taught are the same for all. Then, after the 4th grade, they are separated according to their academic ability and the wishes of their families, and attend one of three different kinds of schools: Hauptschule, Realschule or Gymnasium.

The Hauptschule (grades 5-9) teaches the same subjects as the Realschule and Gymnasium, but at a slower pace and with some vocational-oriented courses. It leads to part-time enrollment in a vocational school combined with apprenticeship training until the age of 18.

The Realschule (grades 5-10 in most states) leads to part-time vocational schools and higher vocational schools. It is now possible for students with high academic achievement at the Realschule to switch to a Gymnasium on graduation.

The Gymnasium leads to a diploma called the Abitur and prepares students for university study or for a dual academic and vocational credential.

Curricula differ from school to school, but generally include German, mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, art (as well as crafts and design), music, history, philosophy, civics, social studies, and several foreign languages. In recent years many States have changed the curriculum so students can get the "Abi" at the end of the 12th grade. Other States are making the transition but may still require a 13th grade.

Education Policies

Efforts are being made to support school improvement through the Quality Offensive in Teacher Training (2013). The goal is to achieve sustainable improvement in the process of teacher training, including career entry and further learning. This policy also aims to contribute to an expanded recognition of course achievements and certificates throughout the country, offering more flexibility to students and teaching postgraduates.

Specifics

- Grundschule teachers recommend their students to a particular school based on such things as academic achievement, self-confidence and ability to work independently. However, in most states, parents have the final say as to which school their child attends following the fourth grade.

- The Gesamtschule, or comprehensive school, is only found in some of the states. It takes the place of both the Hauptschule and Realschule. It enrolls students of all ability levels in the 5th through the 10th grades. Students who satisfactorily complete the Gesamtschule through the 9th grade receive the Hauptschule certificate, while those who satisfactorily complete schooling through the 10th grade receive the Realschule certificate.

- There is no provision for serving lunch. There can be a lot of homework and heavy emphasis on the "three Rs" - reading, writing and aRithmatic. The curriculum expands as students move up from Grundschule and depends on which of the three secondary schools they attend.

- Home schooling is illegal in Germany. The law requiring students to attend public schools or approved private schools has been upheld despite challenges to it.

Total spending on education: 4,94% of the total GDP in 2012.

The education system in Germany varies from state to state, although the basic K-12 system is fairly uniform. Education is the responsibility of each of the 16 German states (Bundesländer), but there is a national conference of state education ministers (Kultusministerkonferenz, KMK) that serves to coordinate educational practices at the national level.

School types

In addition to Germany's extensive public school system, there are also some private and parochial schools. In all of Germany, a country of 80 million people, there are only about 2,500 private and parochial schools, including boarding schools (Internate).

The school year consists of two semesters and normally starts around the middle to end of August. There are longer breaks at Christmas and in the summer. Shorter breaks are around Easter and in autumn. There is no school on public holidays. The Christmas break is usually 2 weeks and the summer break is about 6 weeks. German students at public schools attend school in the morning. Classes normally start between 7:30 and 8:15 a.m. and can end between 12 noon and 1:30 p.m. Class periods are normally 45 minutes long with a short break in between. The school year lasts from 188 to 208 days.

School stages

School is compulsory for nine or ten years. From grades 1 through 4 children attend elementary school (Grundschule), where the subjects taught are the same for all. Then, after the 4th grade, they are separated according to their academic ability and the wishes of their families, and attend one of three different kinds of schools: Hauptschule, Realschule or Gymnasium.

The Hauptschule (grades 5-9) teaches the same subjects as the Realschule and Gymnasium, but at a slower pace and with some vocational-oriented courses. It leads to part-time enrollment in a vocational school combined with apprenticeship training until the age of 18.

The Realschule (grades 5-10 in most states) leads to part-time vocational schools and higher vocational schools. It is now possible for students with high academic achievement at the Realschule to switch to a Gymnasium on graduation.

The Gymnasium leads to a diploma called the Abitur and prepares students for university study or for a dual academic and vocational credential.

Curricula differ from school to school, but generally include German, mathematics, computer science, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, art (as well as crafts and design), music, history, philosophy, civics, social studies, and several foreign languages. In recent years many States have changed the curriculum so students can get the "Abi" at the end of the 12th grade. Other States are making the transition but may still require a 13th grade.

Education Policies

Efforts are being made to support school improvement through the Quality Offensive in Teacher Training (2013). The goal is to achieve sustainable improvement in the process of teacher training, including career entry and further learning. This policy also aims to contribute to an expanded recognition of course achievements and certificates throughout the country, offering more flexibility to students and teaching postgraduates.

Specifics

- Grundschule teachers recommend their students to a particular school based on such things as academic achievement, self-confidence and ability to work independently. However, in most states, parents have the final say as to which school their child attends following the fourth grade.

- The Gesamtschule, or comprehensive school, is only found in some of the states. It takes the place of both the Hauptschule and Realschule. It enrolls students of all ability levels in the 5th through the 10th grades. Students who satisfactorily complete the Gesamtschule through the 9th grade receive the Hauptschule certificate, while those who satisfactorily complete schooling through the 10th grade receive the Realschule certificate.

- There is no provision for serving lunch. There can be a lot of homework and heavy emphasis on the "three Rs" - reading, writing and aRithmatic. The curriculum expands as students move up from Grundschule and depends on which of the three secondary schools they attend.

- Home schooling is illegal in Germany. The law requiring students to attend public schools or approved private schools has been upheld despite challenges to it.

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Hong Kong

— Total spending on education: in the 2016-17 financial year - $84 billion, representing 3,3% of GDP

Hong Kong


The Government has extended free education in public sector schools from nine years to 12 years from the 2008/09 school year.

The school year usually starts in August or September and ends in June or July of the following year. There are four main Hong Kong holidays: Christmas holidays, Chinese New Year, Easter holidays, and summer holidays. The exact dates vary from year to year. The school year lasts 176 days.

School types

There are three main types of local schools – government schools which are operated by the Government; aided schools which are fully subvented by the Government but run by voluntary bodies; and private schools, some of which receive financial assistance from the Government. Government and aided schools deliver a curriculum recommended by the Government. They offer free primary and secondary education.

School stages

Primary schooling starts at the age of around six and there are 6 years of schooling at the primary level. There are three modes of operation in the primary schools, namely AM, PM and whole-day. Chinese is the language of instruction in most schools with English taught as a second language. Schooling continues at secondary school of which the first 3 years are compulsory within a standardized academic program. In years 4 to 6 though, students may select 2 to 3 elective subjects from a choice of 20, in addition to their prescribed Chinese, English, liberal studies and mathematics programs.

On completion of primary education, all eligible pupils studying in participating primary schools are allocated subsidised Secondary 1 places by participating in the Secondary School Places Allocation System.

The new academic structure (NAS) has been implemented smoothly since September 2009 in Secondary 4. All students can now benefit from 6 years of secondary education (i.e. 3 years of junior secondary and 3 years of senior secondary education). On completion of the Secondary 6, students take one public examination - the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination.

Educational Policy

The Government launched the "Fourth Strategy on Information Technology in Education" (ITE4) in the 2015-16 school year with six actions covering the areas of upgrading of WiFi infrastructure in all public sector schools, enhancing the supply of quality e-learning resources; curriculum renewal and transformation of pedagogical and assessment practices; building professional leadership and capacity; community involvement; and conducting on-going research and evaluation studies for the coherent and sustainable development of IT in education.

Specifics

- To facilitate effective learning, the Government has been promoting the use of the mother tongue, Chinese, as the principal medium of instruction (MOI) for local schools. But as both Chinese and English are official languages in Hong Kong, the Government is investing heavily in training students to become biliterate (Chinese and English) and trilingual (Cantonese, Putonghua and English).

- The Government has put in place a series of education support measures to help non-Chinese speaking students master the Chinese language and integrate into the community.


Total spending on education: in the 2016-17 financial year - $84 billion, representing 3,3% of GDP.

The Government has extended free education in public sector schools from nine years to 12 years from the 2008/09 school year.

The school year usually starts in August or September and ends in June or July of the following year. There are four main Hong Kong holidays: Christmas holidays, Chinese New Year, Easter holidays, and summer holidays. The exact dates vary from year to year. The school year lasts 176 days.

School types

There are three main types of local schools – government schools which are operated by the Government; aided schools which are fully subvented by the Government but run by voluntary bodies; and private schools, some of which receive financial assistance from the Government. Government and aided schools deliver a curriculum recommended by the Government. They offer free primary and secondary education.

School stages

Primary schooling starts at the age of around six and there are 6 years of schooling at the primary level. There are three modes of operation in the primary schools, namely AM, PM and whole-day. Chinese is the language of instruction in most schools with English taught as a second language. Schooling continues at secondary school of which the first 3 years are compulsory within a standardized academic program. In years 4 to 6 though, students may select 2 to 3 elective subjects from a choice of 20, in addition to their prescribed Chinese, English, liberal studies and mathematics programs.

On completion of primary education, all eligible pupils studying in participating primary schools are allocated subsidised Secondary 1 places by participating in the Secondary School Places Allocation System.

The new academic structure (NAS) has been implemented smoothly since September 2009 in Secondary 4. All students can now benefit from 6 years of secondary education (i.e. 3 years of junior secondary and 3 years of senior secondary education). On completion of the Secondary 6, students take one public examination - the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination.

Educational Policy

The Government launched the "Fourth Strategy on Information Technology in Education" (ITE4) in the 2015-16 school year with six actions covering the areas of upgrading of WiFi infrastructure in all public sector schools, enhancing the supply of quality e-learning resources; curriculum renewal and transformation of pedagogical and assessment practices; building professional leadership and capacity; community involvement; and conducting on-going research and evaluation studies for the coherent and sustainable development of IT in education.

Specifics

- To facilitate effective learning, the Government has been promoting the use of the mother tongue, Chinese, as the principal medium of instruction (MOI) for local schools. But as both Chinese and English are official languages in Hong Kong, the Government is investing heavily in training students to become biliterate (Chinese and English) and trilingual (Cantonese, Putonghua and English).

- The Government has put in place a series of education support measures to help non-Chinese speaking students master the Chinese language and integrate into the community.


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Japan

— Total spending on education: In 2015 Japan's public spending amounted to just 3.5 % of its GDP

Japan


While some national and private primary schools do exist, their respective numbers of 74 and 213 only represent 0.003% and 0.01% of the total number of primary schools in the country. Generally, primary schools are public schools run by different municipalities. Most of the national primary schools are affiliated with the faculties of education in national universities.

The primary schools' academic calendar begins in April and ends in March. The calendar is based on the five-day week system, and classes are held for a standard of 35 weeks a year (34 weeks in the case of first-graders). A period of 40 days beginning at the end of July and ending in early September forms the long recess called summer vacation. Winter vacation takes place for a span of two weeks from the end of December until the beginning of January, and two weeks of spring vacation begin in late March and end in early April.

School stages

The school system is generally called the 6-3-3-4 year system, which expressly places primary school education as the foundational stage of the entire school system.

In most cases, a first-grader's school week consists of four days with five school hours and one day with four school hours. For second-graders, every school day has five school hours. Generally, a third-grader's week has three days with five school-hours and two days with six school-hours, and fourth- to sixth-graders usually have two days with five school hours and three days with six school hours.

Compulsory schooling begins as soon as a child reaches his or her sixth year, at which point the child will normally attend the local public elementary school. Elementary school lasts six years. The proportion of private elementary schools is less than one per cent.

Junior-high school lasts three years. To enter a highly-regarded junior-high school, it is necessary to sit for an entrance examination. As with elementary schools, however, the number of private junior-high schools are rather few.

Although attendance at high school does not form part of compulsory education, approximately 97% of children attend three-year high school. An entrance examination and tuition fees are obligatory, but the cost of the fee as well as the difficulty of the entrance examination vary widely according to the reputation of the school one wishes to attend.

Educational Policies

The Japanese government is considering moving the starting grade for compulsory English-language education to the third grade from the fifth grade – where it is now – by 2020. A group of education experts called the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council is looking into the possibility of a new university entrance exam replacing the current, highly competitive exam based on standardized scores.

Specifics

- The school year is divided into three terms spaced with these long recesses. In certain areas, flexible measures are taken to cope with circumstances specific to the regions, such as a shorter summer vacation and a longer winter vacation for schools in cold regions, etc.

- For enrollment in primary school, the age-grade system was adopted to enroll children according to their date of birth. Under this system, children enroll in primary school as first-graders on the 1st of April, immediately following their 6th birthday. Also, under the principle of the age-grade system, children neither skip grades nor are they held back to repeat grades based on their academic performance.

- School lunch is an integral part of school life as well as a part of the educational activities. Sometimes, traditional local specialties are also served as school lunch. An ordinary school lunch menu consists of a staple food (bread, rice, or noodles), a main dish or soup, a drink (milk or fat-free milk), and a dessert.

An important part of the education system in Japan are the juku, often known as 'cram schools'. Cram schools are specialized schools that train their students to meet particular goals such as achieving good marks or passing the entrance examinations of high schools or universities. Juku also play a social role, and children in Japan say they like going to juku because they are able to make new friends. Many children ask to be sent because their friends attend. Some children seem to like juku because of the closer personal contact they have with their teachers and other pupils.
Total spending on education: In 2015 Japan's public spending amounted to just 3.5 % of its GDP.

While some national and private primary schools do exist, their respective numbers of 74 and 213 only represent 0.003% and 0.01% of the total number of primary schools in the country. Generally, primary schools are public schools run by different municipalities. Most of the national primary schools are affiliated with the faculties of education in national universities.

The primary schools' academic calendar begins in April and ends in March. The calendar is based on the five-day week system, and classes are held for a standard of 35 weeks a year (34 weeks in the case of first-graders). A period of 40 days beginning at the end of July and ending in early September forms the long recess called summer vacation. Winter vacation takes place for a span of two weeks from the end of December until the beginning of January, and two weeks of spring vacation begin in late March and end in early April.

School stages

The school system is generally called the 6-3-3-4 year system, which expressly places primary school education as the foundational stage of the entire school system.

In most cases, a first-grader's school week consists of four days with five school hours and one day with four school hours. For second-graders, every school day has five school hours. Generally, a third-grader's week has three days with five school-hours and two days with six school-hours, and fourth- to sixth-graders usually have two days with five school hours and three days with six school hours.

Compulsory schooling begins as soon as a child reaches his or her sixth year, at which point the child will normally attend the local public elementary school. Elementary school lasts six years. The proportion of private elementary schools is less than one per cent.

Junior-high school lasts three years. To enter a highly-regarded junior-high school, it is necessary to sit for an entrance examination. As with elementary schools, however, the number of private junior-high schools are rather few.

Although attendance at high school does not form part of compulsory education, approximately 97% of children attend three-year high school. An entrance examination and tuition fees are obligatory, but the cost of the fee as well as the difficulty of the entrance examination vary widely according to the reputation of the school one wishes to attend.

Educational Policies

The Japanese government is considering moving the starting grade for compulsory English-language education to the third grade from the fifth grade – where it is now – by 2020. A group of education experts called the Education Rebuilding Implementation Council is looking into the possibility of a new university entrance exam replacing the current, highly competitive exam based on standardized scores.

Specifics

- The school year is divided into three terms spaced with these long recesses. In certain areas, flexible measures are taken to cope with circumstances specific to the regions, such as a shorter summer vacation and a longer winter vacation for schools in cold regions, etc.

- For enrollment in primary school, the age-grade system was adopted to enroll children according to their date of birth. Under this system, children enroll in primary school as first-graders on the 1st of April, immediately following their 6th birthday. Also, under the principle of the age-grade system, children neither skip grades nor are they held back to repeat grades based on their academic performance.

- School lunch is an integral part of school life as well as a part of the educational activities. Sometimes, traditional local specialties are also served as school lunch. An ordinary school lunch menu consists of a staple food (bread, rice, or noodles), a main dish or soup, a drink (milk or fat-free milk), and a dessert.

An important part of the education system in Japan are the juku, often known as 'cram schools'. Cram schools are specialized schools that train their students to meet particular goals such as achieving good marks or passing the entrance examinations of high schools or universities. Juku also play a social role, and children in Japan say they like going to juku because they are able to make new friends. Many children ask to be sent because their friends attend. Some children seem to like juku because of the closer personal contact they have with their teachers and other pupils.


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Poland

— Total spending on primary and secondary education: around 5,2% of GDP

Poland


Governance of the education system in Poland is shared between central and local authorities. The national education policy is developed and implemented centrally. Local authorities run primary and lower secondary schools, while districts run schools above lower secondary level. Schools take slightly less than half of decisions at lower secondary level.

School year starts September, 1 and finishes on last Friday of June. Students have Christmas and Easter holidays as well as a two-week winter break. The academic year typically has 190 school days. Students attend classes 5 days a week, having 5-8 lessons a days. Breaks between the lessons usually last 10 minutes, with one or two 20-30 minutes break provided.

School types

Schools are divided into private and public. The third possible type are so-called "association schools" run by associations of parents and maintained with their resources. Some private schools enroll talented students on scholarship programs.

Kindergarten in a part of school system (3-6 y.o.). Primary school (6/7- 11/12 y.o.), gymnasium (12/13-15/16), secondary school (3 or 4 years depending on school district). It is mandatory to attend school including gymnasium level.

During their primary school education, the children sit a nationwide examination in the form of a written test at the end of form VI. The results obtained do not affect the further course of the child's education, and serve only information purposes.

Education in Gymnasium ends with a nationwide written examination consisting of three parts: the humanities (questions on Polish language, Polish literature, history and social studies), Mathematics and Science (questions on mathematics, physics, chemistry, geography and biology) and language (selected from among the modern languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Russian and Italian, and from school year 2012/2013 also Ukrainian). The basic level is compulsory for all. The advanced level is mandatory for students opting for a test in a language they learned in elementary school.

The school-leaving examination is a nationwide state exam for comprehensive and technical high school graduates carried out in all schools in Poland at the same time, usually in May. It is not mandatory. A passing grade in this examination is, however, a condition of further study at tertiary education institutions.

Specifics

- Students start learning English in the first grade.

- In most schools it is compulsory to wear a uniform.

- School supplies and books come at parents' expenses.

- Public schools are often run by religious or social organizations.
Total spending on primary and secondary education: around 5,2% of GDP.

Governance of the education system in Poland is shared between central and local authorities. The national education policy is developed and implemented centrally. Local authorities run primary and lower secondary schools, while districts run schools above lower secondary level. Schools take slightly less than half of decisions at lower secondary level.

School year starts September, 1 and finishes on last Friday of June. Students have Christmas and Easter holidays as well as a two-week winter break. The academic year typically has 190 school days. Students attend classes 5 days a week, having 5-8 lessons a days. Breaks between the lessons usually last 10 minutes, with one or two 20-30 minutes break provided.

School types

Schools are divided into private and public. The third possible type are so-called "association schools" run by associations of parents and maintained with their resources. Some private schools enroll talented students on scholarship programs.

Kindergarten in a part of school system (3-6 y.o.). Primary school (6/7- 11/12 y.o.), gymnasium (12/13-15/16), secondary school (3 or 4 years depending on school district). It is mandatory to attend school including gymnasium level.

During their primary school education, the children sit a nationwide examination in the form of a written test at the end of form VI. The results obtained do not affect the further course of the child's education, and serve only information purposes.

Education in Gymnasium ends with a nationwide written examination consisting of three parts: the humanities (questions on Polish language, Polish literature, history and social studies), Mathematics and Science (questions on mathematics, physics, chemistry, geography and biology) and language (selected from among the modern languages: English, French, Spanish, German, Russian and Italian, and from school year 2012/2013 also Ukrainian). The basic level is compulsory for all. The advanced level is mandatory for students opting for a test in a language they learned in elementary school.

The school-leaving examination is a nationwide state exam for comprehensive and technical high school graduates carried out in all schools in Poland at the same time, usually in May. It is not mandatory. A passing grade in this examination is, however, a condition of further study at tertiary education institutions.

Specifics

- Students start learning English in the first grade.

- In most schools it is compulsory to wear a uniform.

- School supplies and books come at parents' expenses.

- Public schools are often run by religious or social organizations.


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Russia

— Total spending on education: In 2012 government expenditure on education was 4,15% of GDP

Russia


Education in Russia is organized and coordinated by the state, which ensures that general education is free and available for everyone. Most schools are state schools but private schools have also been established in recent years. A state educational standard for general education lays down requirements for the minimum content of education and the workload of students.

The school year starts on 1 September and runs through the beginning of June. Unified State Examinations scheduled in the end of May - beginning of June mark the end of the school year. The School year varies from 170 to 204 days.

The Russian school year is comprised of 4 terms with vacations in between; 1 week in November, 2 weeks in January, 1 week in March and nearly 3 months in summer. School is held from September 1 until the final week of May, with exams in June.

The school day normally starts at 8 a.m. and finishes at 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Students generally attend class 5 days a week, although some schools require extra study on Saturdays.

A typical class lasts 40 - 45 minutes with a 5 -15 minute break in between. In primary school students have 4 classes a day. This increases to 5 or 6 classes a day in secondary school, and 6 or 7 at a senior high school.

School stages

Primary general education is comprised of grades 1-4, from the age of 7 to 10 years. Lower secondary education takes 5 years and is comprised of grades 5–9, from the age of 11 to 15 years. Upper secondary education takes two years (grades 10–11). Students complete secondary education at the age of 17-18 years.

On completion of lower secondary education (grade 9), students take final examinations (state final attestation) and they are awarded the Certificate of Basic General Education. This Certificate entitles its holder to be admitted either to secondary general education or to technical and vocational education and training.

On completion of upper secondary education (grade 11) a school exit certificate is awarded. The name of this qualification is the Certificate of Secondary General Education.

The general secondary school study programme is culminated with a mandatory state final attestation of each graduate in the Russian language and mathematics, which is an obligatory part of the Unified State Examinations (USE).

Educational Policies

New aspects of the most recent law on education (2012) can be summarized as follows: prioritizing children (ages 6-7) to be admitted to the first grade of their closest neighborhood school; requiring testing and other types of contests while applying for enrollment in different art institutions, and introducing and promoting inclusive education in public schools and a gradual termination of special education institutions.

Specifics

Exams in such subjects as: literature, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, history, social studies, foreign languages, informatics and ICT graduates are as a part of the USE on a voluntary basis and made by students according to their own choice. Graduates who have passed the state final attestation in the form of the NSE are given a Certificate of the USE results. The Certificate indicates the results in subjects for which assessment was not below the approved minimum level. These results submitted through applications to those universities, which a school graduate applies to (up to 5 universities).

Compulsory subjects include humanities with an emphasis on Russian language, literature, social sciences, and physical education; natural sciences with priority given to mathematics; and technology; Social sciences include such subjects as foreign languages, Russian history, world history, economic and social geography, law, political science, economics, etc.; and the Natural sciences cover biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry, ecology, etc.
Total spending on education: In 2012 government expenditure on education was 4,15% of GDP.

Education in Russia is organized and coordinated by the state, which ensures that general education is free and available for everyone. Most schools are state schools but private schools have also been established in recent years. A state educational standard for general education lays down requirements for the minimum content of education and the workload of students.

The school year starts on 1 September and runs through the beginning of June. Unified State Examinations scheduled in the end of May - beginning of June mark the end of the school year. The School year varies from 170 to 204 days.

The Russian school year is comprised of 4 terms with vacations in between; 1 week in November, 2 weeks in January, 1 week in March and nearly 3 months in summer. School is held from September 1 until the final week of May, with exams in June.

The school day normally starts at 8 a.m. and finishes at 1 or 2 in the afternoon. Students generally attend class 5 days a week, although some schools require extra study on Saturdays.

A typical class lasts 40 - 45 minutes with a 5 -15 minute break in between. In primary school students have 4 classes a day. This increases to 5 or 6 classes a day in secondary school, and 6 or 7 at a senior high school.

School stages

Primary general education is comprised of grades 1-4, from the age of 7 to 10 years. Lower secondary education takes 5 years and is comprised of grades 5–9, from the age of 11 to 15 years. Upper secondary education takes two years (grades 10–11). Students complete secondary education at the age of 17-18 years.

On completion of lower secondary education (grade 9), students take final examinations (state final attestation) and they are awarded the Certificate of Basic General Education. This Certificate entitles its holder to be admitted either to secondary general education or to technical and vocational education and training.

On completion of upper secondary education (grade 11) a school exit certificate is awarded. The name of this qualification is the Certificate of Secondary General Education.

The general secondary school study programme is culminated with a mandatory state final attestation of each graduate in the Russian language and mathematics, which is an obligatory part of the Unified State Examinations (USE).

Educational Policies

New aspects of the most recent law on education (2012) can be summarized as follows: prioritizing children (ages 6-7) to be admitted to the first grade of their closest neighborhood school; requiring testing and other types of contests while applying for enrollment in different art institutions, and introducing and promoting inclusive education in public schools and a gradual termination of special education institutions.

Specifics

Exams in such subjects as: literature, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, history, social studies, foreign languages, informatics and ICT graduates are as a part of the USE on a voluntary basis and made by students according to their own choice. Graduates who have passed the state final attestation in the form of the NSE are given a Certificate of the USE results. The Certificate indicates the results in subjects for which assessment was not below the approved minimum level. These results submitted through applications to those universities, which a school graduate applies to (up to 5 universities).

Compulsory subjects include humanities with an emphasis on Russian language, literature, social sciences, and physical education; natural sciences with priority given to mathematics; and technology; Social sciences include such subjects as foreign languages, Russian history, world history, economic and social geography, law, political science, economics, etc.; and the Natural sciences cover biology, physics, astronomy, chemistry, ecology, etc.
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Singapore

— Total spending on education in 2012 reached three percent of the GDP

Singapore


Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education that governs the education policies. The Ministry also determines the process for developing and administration of the state schools, and also has an advisory and supervisory role in private institutions. Private and state schools differ in their autonomy for selection of curricula, amounts of state assistance and financing, as well as in the academic load and admission rules.

The academic year lasts from August to May, with school days totaling 180.

Education stages

The 10-year basic education is two-staged, i.e. the six-year-long primary school and four-to-five-year-long secondary school. Before entering the secondary school, the child must pass the primary-school examination and then participate in the Cambridge "O" exam. Upon secondary school, one may choose an institution of the matching advancement level.

At the primary school basic level, children are given fundamental reading, writing and arithmetic skills, with teachers devoting 80 percent of their time to English, native language and mathematics. Other subjects include natural and social sciences, music, arts, hygiene, sports, civics and moral education.

After the fourth year, the school may stream children over varying language courses pending on their abilities and also consult their parents for selecting the optimal curriculum.

As per primary school exam results, the children are split over three curricula, i.e. special, express and normal, with 60 percent of them going to the special and express levels, and 35 percent to the normal level. Irrespective of the target curriculum, some disciplines remain universal, among them English, native language, mathematics, sports, civics and moral education. Other subjects include natural sciences, history, geography, English literature, arts, music, design and technology, and housekeeping.

Proceeding from the "O" level exam outcomes, students choose second-stage secondary school or first-stage college. Singapore has 15 first-stage colleges that offer two-year pre-university courses and two second-stage secondary schools with three-year-long training. After picking the curriculum, students take the "A" level exam to substantiate their right for higher education.

Latest changes

In 2014, the Ministry of Education decided to reserve 40 seats in each primary school for those who failed to enter the school during the first admission wave.

Specifics

- Children with disabilities go to special schools that are also supervised by the Ministry of Education. The education budget usually makes about 20 percent of the national budget that finances state and government-sponsored private schools, with the education costs for non-citizens considerably higher.

- Most subjects are taught in English, primarily mathematics and natural sciences. Former Prime Minister Lee Quan Yew suggested using English for every day communication to make contacts easier for different ethnic and cultural groups, as well as to facilitate Singapore's integration in the global economy.
Education in Singapore is managed by the Ministry of Education that governs the education policies. The Ministry also determines the process for developing and administration of the state schools, and also has an advisory and supervisory role in private institutions. Private and state schools differ in their autonomy for selection of curricula, amounts of state assistance and financing, as well as in the academic load and admission rules.

The academic year lasts from August to May, with school days totaling 180.

Education stages

The 10-year basic education is two-staged, i.e. the six-year-long primary school and four-to-five-year-long secondary school. Before entering the secondary school, the child must pass the primary-school examination and then participate in the Cambridge "O" exam. Upon secondary school, one may choose an institution of the matching advancement level.

At the primary school basic level, children are given fundamental reading, writing and arithmetic skills, with teachers devoting 80 percent of their time to English, native language and mathematics. Other subjects include natural and social sciences, music, arts, hygiene, sports, civics and moral education.

After the fourth year, the school may stream children over varying language courses pending on their abilities and also consult their parents for selecting the optimal curriculum.

As per primary school exam results, the children are split over three curricula, i.e. special, express and normal, with 60 percent of them going to the special and express levels, and 35 percent to the normal level. Irrespective of the target curriculum, some disciplines remain universal, among them English, native language, mathematics, sports, civics and moral education. Other subjects include natural sciences, history, geography, English literature, arts, music, design and technology, and housekeeping.

Proceeding from the "O" level exam outcomes, students choose second-stage secondary school or first-stage college. Singapore has 15 first-stage colleges that offer two-year pre-university courses and two second-stage secondary schools with three-year-long training. After picking the curriculum, students take the "A" level exam to substantiate their right for higher education.

Latest changes

In 2014, the Ministry of Education decided to reserve 40 seats in each primary school for those who failed to enter the school during the first admission wave.

Specifics

- Children with disabilities go to special schools that are also supervised by the Ministry of Education. The education budget usually makes about 20 percent of the national budget that finances state and government-sponsored private schools, with the education costs for non-citizens considerably higher.

- Most subjects are taught in English, primarily mathematics and natural sciences. Former Prime Minister Lee Quan Yew suggested using English for every day communication to make contacts easier for different ethnic and cultural groups, as well as to facilitate Singapore's integration in the global economy.
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South Korea

Total spending on primary and secondary education: 7.6% of GDP

South Korea


School for all children between the ages of six and fifteen is free. Senior high schools, intended for students aged fifteen to eighteen, do charge tuition fees in order to supplement government funding, but these fees do not appear burdensome enough to prevent students from attending.

The first term runs from March to mid July with the summer vacation from mid-July to late-August (elementary and secondary schools). The second term usually resumes in late August and runs until mid February. The winter break is from late December to late January. There are two weeks of school (elementary and secondary schools) in February. Then there is a two-week-break before the new academic year starts in March. The school year lasts 220 days.

School stages

The Korean education system operates on a 6-3-3-4 basis, with six years of primary schooling followed by three years of middle school, three years of high school and four years of undergraduate education. The first nine years of schooling are compulsory for children between the ages of six and 15.

Primary education in Korea is free and compulsory from the age of six. Primary education runs from first grade to sixth grade, and the enrollment rate at this level is essentially universal. Core subjects include: ethics, Korean language, mathematics, science, social studies, PE, and music and the arts. Middle school runs for three years and is free and compulsory. Graduates of middle schools or the equivalent may enter high schools. This three-year period of study is neither compulsory nor free; nonetheless, the progression rate from middle school to high school has been above 99 % since the mid-1980s. The majority of students attend general/academic schools, and about 30 % attend vocational schools.

At the end of high school, students must take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) if they want to continue on to university. The test is administered by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation in November each year, and is offered in one of three streams (social studies, sciences or vocational education). It covers five subject areas: Korean language, mathematics, foreign languages, social studies/sciences/vocational education, and a second foreign language/Chinese characters.

School types

High schools are divided into general/academic, vocational, and special purpose (foreign language, art, and science high schools).

Specifics

- As one of the recent measures implemented in the system of education, the Ministry of Education of South Korea implemented a pilot project called «test-free semester program» in some 42 schools around the country in 2013. Under this program, middle school students have time to discover their aptitude and talent without worrying about tests for one semester. The ministry said it would implement the test-free semester system for the nation's 3,200 middle schools from 2016, based on an assessment of a pilot program.

- Admission to senior high school differs across school systems. In major metro areas a computer lottery system places students, while schools in other regions admit students based on prior academic achievement and school-administered entrance examinations.

- Both public and private schools follow the national curriculum framework developed by the ministry. In the first year (grade 10), the curriculum includes 10 compulsory subjects and 10 elective courses (Korean language, ethics, social studies (including Korean history), mathematics, science, technology and home economics, physical education, music, fine arts, and English).

- Vocational/technical high schools offer general secondary education in the first year, with specialized courses in the fields of agriculture, industry, commerce, fisheries/maritime, and home economics in the final two years.

- For a senior high school student, a study routine will include self-study sessions at school, as wel as cram schools and more self-studying hours late into the night at private cubicles. This is all on top of their regular class hours. Despite a government-imposed 10:00 p.m. curfew on cram schools, students often spend long hours – from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. – studying at home, at school, at expensive hagwon and online. There are just under 100,000 hagwons in South Korea and around three-quarters of children attend them.

- In order to reduce the financial burden from private education and encourage the students to rest, the Lee Myung-bak administration placed a ban on operating private classes after 10pm. Government officials routinely patrol areas and crackdown on illicit classes.
Total spending on primary and secondary education: 7.6% of GDP.

School for all children between the ages of six and fifteen is free. Senior high schools, intended for students aged fifteen to eighteen, do charge tuition fees in order to supplement government funding, but these fees do not appear burdensome enough to prevent students from attending.

The first term runs from March to mid July with the summer vacation from mid-July to late-August (elementary and secondary schools). The second term usually resumes in late August and runs until mid February. The winter break is from late December to late January. There are two weeks of school (elementary and secondary schools) in February. Then there is a two-week-break before the new academic year starts in March. The school year lasts 220 days.

School stages

The Korean education system operates on a 6-3-3-4 basis, with six years of primary schooling followed by three years of middle school, three years of high school and four years of undergraduate education. The first nine years of schooling are compulsory for children between the ages of six and 15.

Primary education in Korea is free and compulsory from the age of six. Primary education runs from first grade to sixth grade, and the enrollment rate at this level is essentially universal. Core subjects include: ethics, Korean language, mathematics, science, social studies, PE, and music and the arts. Middle school runs for three years and is free and compulsory. Graduates of middle schools or the equivalent may enter high schools. This three-year period of study is neither compulsory nor free; nonetheless, the progression rate from middle school to high school has been above 99 % since the mid-1980s. The majority of students attend general/academic schools, and about 30 % attend vocational schools.

At the end of high school, students must take the College Scholastic Ability Test (CSAT) if they want to continue on to university. The test is administered by the Korea Institute for Curriculum and Evaluation in November each year, and is offered in one of three streams (social studies, sciences or vocational education). It covers five subject areas: Korean language, mathematics, foreign languages, social studies/sciences/vocational education, and a second foreign language/Chinese characters.

School types

High schools are divided into general/academic, vocational, and special purpose (foreign language, art, and science high schools).

Specifics

- As one of the recent measures implemented in the system of education, the Ministry of Education of South Korea implemented a pilot project called «test-free semester program» in some 42 schools around the country in 2013. Under this program, middle school students have time to discover their aptitude and talent without worrying about tests for one semester. The ministry said it would implement the test-free semester system for the nation's 3,200 middle schools from 2016, based on an assessment of a pilot program.

- Admission to senior high school differs across school systems. In major metro areas a computer lottery system places students, while schools in other regions admit students based on prior academic achievement and school-administered entrance examinations.

- Both public and private schools follow the national curriculum framework developed by the ministry. In the first year (grade 10), the curriculum includes 10 compulsory subjects and 10 elective courses (Korean language, ethics, social studies (including Korean history), mathematics, science, technology and home economics, physical education, music, fine arts, and English).

- Vocational/technical high schools offer general secondary education in the first year, with specialized courses in the fields of agriculture, industry, commerce, fisheries/maritime, and home economics in the final two years.

- For a senior high school student, a study routine will include self-study sessions at school, as wel as cram schools and more self-studying hours late into the night at private cubicles. This is all on top of their regular class hours. Despite a government-imposed 10:00 p.m. curfew on cram schools, students often spend long hours – from 8:00 a.m. to 11:00 p.m. – studying at home, at school, at expensive hagwon and online. There are just under 100,000 hagwons in South Korea and around three-quarters of children attend them.

- In order to reduce the financial burden from private education and encourage the students to rest, the Lee Myung-bak administration placed a ban on operating private classes after 10pm. Government officials routinely patrol areas and crackdown on illicit classes.


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United Kingdom

— £85,2 bn in 2015 – total spending on primary and secondary education, around 4,7% of GDP

United Kingdom


Each part of the United Kingdom has a different education governance system, but can have some similar governance structures.

Schools are divided into state (free to attend and administered by local authority) and private (independent, paid). Up to 90% of students attend state schools.

School years starts in September and lasts until mid July. Students have Christmas and Easter holidays as well as short breaks between the terms. Some schools use semester system. Students have up to 7-8 lessons a day 5 days a week. The academic year typically has 190 school days.

Stages: early education, primary, secondary (a separate institution). To enter a secondary independent school students are obliged to pass Common Entrance exam.

It is compulsory to attend school between ages 5 (4 in the Northern Ireland) and 16.

Primary education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11. From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three and four and to start their move towards taking the GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education). During Year 2 and 6 students pass National tests and teacher assessments in English, maths and science. GCSE is usually taken during the last school year. It is compulsory to take this exam in English, Maths and Science.

The Pupil Premium (2011) programme aims to reduce inequities between students through additional school funding to support disadvantaged students and close attainment gaps. It targets students who have received free school meals at any point in the last six years, with schools deciding how to use this funding.

A lot of people talk about the necessity of comprehensive educational reform, but only small programs have been implemented.

Specifics

- State schools provide books, pay for the examination fee, however, parents need to pay for the stationary. Parents are expected to pay for the school uniform as well.

- In England and Wales parents can choose a secondary school their child is going to attend.

- There are Grammar schools (comprehensive level). Grammar schools are state secondary schools that select their pupils by means of an examination taken by children at age 11, known as the "11-plus". Children with best academic performance receive a place in such schools.
£85,2 bn in 2015 – total spending on primary and secondary education, around 4,7% of GDP.

Each part of the United Kingdom has a different education governance system, but can have some similar governance structures.

Schools are divided into state (free to attend and administered by local authority) and private (independent, paid). Up to 90% of students attend state schools.

School years starts in September and lasts until mid July. Students have Christmas and Easter holidays as well as short breaks between the terms. Some schools use semester system. Students have up to 7-8 lessons a day 5 days a week. The academic year typically has 190 school days.

Stages: early education, primary, secondary (a separate institution). To enter a secondary independent school students are obliged to pass Common Entrance exam.

It is compulsory to attend school between ages 5 (4 in the Northern Ireland) and 16.

Primary education begins in the UK at age 5 and continues until age 11. From age 11 to 16, students will enter secondary school for key stages three and four and to start their move towards taking the GCSE's (General Certificate of Secondary Education). During Year 2 and 6 students pass National tests and teacher assessments in English, maths and science. GCSE is usually taken during the last school year. It is compulsory to take this exam in English, Maths and Science.

The Pupil Premium (2011) programme aims to reduce inequities between students through additional school funding to support disadvantaged students and close attainment gaps. It targets students who have received free school meals at any point in the last six years, with schools deciding how to use this funding.

A lot of people talk about the necessity of comprehensive educational reform, but only small programs have been implemented.

Specifics

- State schools provide books, pay for the examination fee, however, parents need to pay for the stationary. Parents are expected to pay for the school uniform as well.

- In England and Wales parents can choose a secondary school their child is going to attend.

- There are Grammar schools (comprehensive level). Grammar schools are state secondary schools that select their pupils by means of an examination taken by children at age 11, known as the "11-plus". Children with best academic performance receive a place in such schools.
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United States

— Total spending on primary and secondary education: $679 bn in 2016, around 5,5% of GDP

United States

The United States has regional governance of the education system, where state, local and federal governments guide and fund the education system. The government mete out certain funding to states for education based on criteria set by the federal government. The state governments gather and distribute a significant amount of funding for schools through state sales and income taxes, lotteries, and property taxes. Local governments also often contribute through their respective taxation systems.

School year starts in August/September and lasts till May/June. School breaks are usually connected with religious and national holidays and last up to 10 days. The exact number of holidays may differ from year to year. The academic year typically has 180 school days.

School stages

Kids have to attend schools from age 6 to 16, further education rules are determined by states. (Elementary, 5 years) + Secondary (Middle, 3 years + High, 4 years). Kindergarten is usually part of the school system, located in the same building. The system is called K12 (Kindergarten +12 years of school). Students do not have to take tests to continue their education in middle or high school.

Graduating from high school is not obligatory. There is no final examination, like in many countries, but if a student wants to continue education at a university, he/she has to pass SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) that covers English, Maths and Science.

School types

There are public schools (determined by the district) – free to attend; and private, paid, usually for gifted children. Private schools account for 24% of the nation's schools and enroll 10% of all PK-12 students.

Latest legislation

2015, Every Student Succeeds Act – standardized testing system: students have to take tests every year from 3rd to 8th grade. The tests check students' overall performance. The Act also has provisions for disadvantaged children.

Specifics

- Books and stationary are free, unless a student wants something more trendy. Students mostly have access to printers and copiers, smartboards are widely used.

- Students have classes 5 days a week, 7-8 periods a day. To graduate students earn credits, with each class worth different amount. The classes are the same every day during the semester. Students have different classmates in each lesson as each student has his own schedule, choosing classes he/she is going to have during the semester. Each student has to pick at least one class from English, Science and Maths field in order to receive enough credits to graduate.

- Breaks between the classes tend to be very short, for students to change their books in the lockers and go to a new room.

- During last two years of High School students can participate in VoTech program. This educational institution provides vocational education or technical skills necessary for a certain job.

- Most private school students (80%) attend religiously-affiliated schools.

It is crucial to play sports in the US schools. Each school has its own teams in several sports. Outstanding sportsmen receive full paid scholarships to leading universities. Students as well may choose a college based on its sport teams' performance.
Total spending on primary and secondary education: $679 bn in 2016, around 5,5% of GDP.

The United States has regional governance of the education system, where state, local and federal governments guide and fund the education system. The government mete out certain funding to states for education based on criteria set by the federal government. The state governments gather and distribute a significant amount of funding for schools through state sales and income taxes, lotteries, and property taxes. Local governments also often contribute through their respective taxation systems.

School year starts in August/September and lasts till May/June. School breaks are usually connected with religious and national holidays and last up to 10 days. The exact number of holidays may differ from year to year. The academic year typically has 180 school days.

School stages

Kids have to attend schools from age 6 to 16, further education rules are determined by states. (Elementary, 5 years) + Secondary (Middle, 3 years + High, 4 years). Kindergarten is usually part of the school system, located in the same building. The system is called K12 (Kindergarten +12 years of school). Students do not have to take tests to continue their education in middle or high school.

Graduating from high school is not obligatory. There is no final examination, like in many countries, but if a student wants to continue education at a university, he/she has to pass SAT (Scholastic Aptitude Test) that covers English, Maths and Science.

School types

There are public schools (determined by the district) – free to attend; and private, paid, usually for gifted children. Private schools account for 24% of the nation's schools and enroll 10% of all PK-12 students.

Latest legislation

2015, Every Student Succeeds Act – standardized testing system: students have to take tests every year from 3rd to 8th grade. The tests check students' overall performance. The Act also has provisions for disadvantaged children.

Specifics

- Books and stationary are free, unless a student wants something more trendy. Students mostly have access to printers and copiers, smartboards are widely used.

- Students have classes 5 days a week, 7-8 periods a day. To graduate students earn credits, with each class worth different amount. The classes are the same every day during the semester. Students have different classmates in each lesson as each student has his own schedule, choosing classes he/she is going to have during the semester. Each student has to pick at least one class from English, Science and Maths field in order to receive enough credits to graduate.

- Breaks between the classes tend to be very short, for students to change their books in the lockers and go to a new room.

- During last two years of High School students can participate in VoTech program. This educational institution provides vocational education or technical skills necessary for a certain job.

- Most private school students (80%) attend religiously-affiliated schools.

It is crucial to play sports in the US schools. Each school has its own teams in several sports. Outstanding sportsmen receive full paid scholarships to leading universities. Students as well may choose a college based on its sport teams' performance.
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Produced by: Daria Khaspekova, Maria Smekalova, Irina Sorokina, Nikolay Mukhin, Roman Maika and Dmitriy Puminov.
© 2016 Russian International Affairs Council,
russiancouncil.ru
Pictures: educationtechnologysolutions.com.au, Twitter/@Villa24V, fb.com/Ellebjerg Skole, saintmicheldepicpus.fr, Flickr/Tony Webster, fb.com/ГБОУ Школа 1944