Federal government's role in education

Since there is no federal educational system, the federal government plays an indirect role in education, but in some instances its role is vital. The federal government provides financial support for:post-secondary education, labor market training, the teaching of the two official languages (especially second-language training)

In addition it is responsible for the education of: aboriginals, armed forces personnel and their dependants,inmates of federal penal institutions.

Overall, the federal government pays over one-fifth (more than 20%) of Canada's yearly educational bill.One important part of the federal governmental contribution to education is the Canada student Loans program, which assists students who do not have sufficient resources for their studies. Provinces have complimentary (additional) programs of loans and bursaries.

Another federal initiative is Canada Millennium scholarships. It took effect in the year 2000. The federal government allocated $2,5 billion for this program to provide scholarships to more than 100,000 students each year over 10 years. (This represents the largest single investment the federal government has ever made in support of universal access to post-secondary education. Scholarships average $3,000 a year, and individuals can receive up to $15,000 over a maximum of four academic years.)

Elementary to secondary education

In some provinces children can enter kindergarten at the age of 4 before starting the elementary grades at age 6.The elementary curriculum emphasizes the basic subjects of: language, math, social studies,introductory arts and science.

In general, high school programs consist of two streams:the first prepares student for university, the second is for post-secondary education at: a community college, institute of technology, a work place.(There are also special programs for students unable to complete the conventional courses of study.)In most provinces, individual schools set, conduct to mark their own examinations. (Exam requirements vary from school to school)

In some provinces, however, there are certain common requirements for a graduation examination. To students must pass a gradational examination in certain key subjects in order to proceed to the post-secondary level.University entrance depends on course selection and marks in high school, entrance requirements vary from province to province. Besides public schools, there are separate schools as well as private schools in Canada.

Separate schools are established in some provinces by religious groups. Separate are mostly Roman Catholic. Both public and separate schools are free. Private or independent schools offer a great variety of curriculum options based on religion, language or academic status.

Teacher training

Generally includes at least 4 or 5 years of study. To get a Bachelor of Education degree a person must graduate from a university (complete his/her university course) plus he/she must spend an additional year of educational studies. Teachers are licensed by the provincial departments of education.

Post-secondary education

For most Canada's history, post-secondary education was provided almost exclusively by its universities. (For a long time universities had practically been the only higher educational institutions, many with religious affiliation).But there was a demand for greater variety in post-secondary education, which rose sharply in the middle of the 20th century. And during the 1960's systems of public non-university institutions began to develop. Today Canada's post-secondary educational system comprises: about 100 universities,some 200 technical institutes and community colleges.Most post-secondary institutions are fee-paying. But in general student fees, owing to substantial governmental subsidies, account for only about 11% of the cost of the country's post-secondary education. Canada's universities are internationally known for the quality of their teaching and research. Examples include the neurological breakthroughs at McGill University and the discovery of insulin at the University of Toronto by a group of scientists.(Women are well represented in thru universities: they receive more than half of all degrees conferred).