A Closer Look at the Educational Systems of the Selected Countries of the World

A Closer Look at the Educational Systems of the Selected Countries of the

World

AUSTRALIA

Australia’s Basic Education

•Australia, has a high quality educational system. •Many students from all over the world go to Australia to study.• The educational system in Australia is similar with that of Canada and England.

oPrimary Schools- 6 yearsoHigh school- 6 years

-junior high school (year 7- year 10)-senior high school (year 11- year 12)

oCollege/ University- 3 to 6 years Students who intend to go to college or university entrance examination; Other students may get a job after year ten; or Go to a Technical and Further Education

(TAFE) College to learn technical skills.

a)PRIMARY EDUCATION

Compulsory Education

6 to 12 years old

provided by government and non-government primary schools

However, in most states, children start primary school at the age of five when they enroll in preparatory or kindergarten year.

b) JUNIOR SECONDARY LEVEL

for four years

12 to 16 years old

At the end, a Junior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 10 Certificate) is awarded.

c) SENIOR SECONDARY LEVEL

16 to 18 years old

no longer compulsory education

offered by government and non-government providers

Senior Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 12 Certificate) is awarded at the end of the senior secondary level.

d) HIGHER EDUCATION

1. to enable individuals to develop their capabilities

2. to advance knowledge and understanding

3. aid the application of knowledge

4. enable individuals to adapt and learn

5. contribute to democratic civilized society.

CHINA

omost populous country of the world is China

o200 million students attending public schools taught by over 9 million teachers in the elementary, junior, and senior high schools

olargest educational system of the world (Wang, 1996; Nanjundiah, 1996)

oThe course syllabi are written by scientists and professors hired by the National Educational Commission.

oUNIFORM subject matter and instructional contents

oPrimary grades (6 yrs) devoted to development of cognitive skills

oHigh School (6yrs)3yrs middle school

3yrs senior high

Class size ranged from 40 to 60 students

oUniversity (6 yrs)For admission, must pass one of the two versions of the National University Entrance Examination.

The quality and reputation of the school will depend on the number of students passing the examination (Changbin, 1995; Kwang, 2000)

JAPAN

Japan Education

ohighly centralized

oadministered by the Mombusho or Ministry of Education

1/3 go to the private schools and the rest are enrolled in the public of national school system (Abner, 2002)

oseen as a model of how operate schools

5 basic levels:

oKindergarten,

oelementary school (6years),

olowers secondary school (3 years),

oupper secondary (3years) and

ouniversity (usually around 4 years).

In Japan, education is:

oFREE and compulsory for children 6 to 15 years

oClasses are large and teaching methods is usually lecture

o Japanese students spend 243 days in a year in school.

oThe school calendar is year-round with some breaks between sessions.

Higher Education:

Must take 2 examinations:

- national achievement test

-given by the university itself

Graduate School:

-only 7% of university graduate gets Master's degrees

SOUTH AFRICA

South African Education

oEqual access to basic education

oOpportunities for lifelong learning

oDemocratic participation

oSustainability of developmentand relevance of education

Public school Types:

- ordinary public school or

- public school for learners with special needs

Levels:

- pre-primary

- primary

- secondary

- higher education

oGrades VII-IX - last stage of compulsory education and will lead to General Education and Training Certificate.

oFurther Education and Training (FET) or senior secondary education (Grades X-XII) is not compulsory.

oAt the end of Grade XII, students sit a public examination leading to Senior Certificate.

oTechnical secondary education which generally lasts for three years are offered in technical centers, high schools and vocational schools.

Higher Educationocorrespond to Level 5-8 of the National Qualification Framework (NQF) which is used more advanced than the Senior Certificate.

oinclude colleges, technikons and universities.

oMost colleges of education offer a three-year programme leading to the Diploma in Education (four year for higher diplomas).

UNITED KINGDOM

The National Curriculum

o minimum educational requirement for compulsoryschool age, 5 to 16 years

o mandatory for all state schools which promotes holistic development, prepares them for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life.

o It includes religious education and for secondary students sex and career education.

o Followed by almost all the schools whether private or state

Basic Education

oNational curriculum core subjects-

English, Mathematics, and Science. Each key level has definite emphasis that gradually becomes more advanced as the level progresses.

oFoundation Stage- covers children aged 3-5 years, but does not have a strong mandate as to what needs to happen during these years of schooling as it is not yet mandatory.

Post 16 Educationnot mandatory in England

Students can either continue education or enter working world

certificates or diploma awarded:

oGeneral Certificate of Education (GCE), a level comprising advanced subsidiary (AS) and A2, each of these usually containing three assessed units.

oVocational Certificate of Education (VCE) --- a level, dealing with the more applied aspects of the subject; they are available in three, six, and twelve unit sizes; General National Vocational Qualifications (GNVQs).