A Closer Look to the Educational Sytems of the World

 "To become a global teacher you should be equipped with a wider range of knowledge of the
various educational systems outside the country."
 “Benchmarking is learning the best from the best practices of the world's best educational systems.”
“As a future teacher, you shall be guided by UNESCO's principle on the four pillars that Education is
for All and that this education is anchored on the Four Pillars which are: Learning to Know, Learning
to Do, Learning to Be, and Learning to Live together.”

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF AUSTRALIA

Basic Education
Australia, called by many as the last paradise on earth, 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.

LEVEL OF SCHOOLING YEARS

•Primary Schools 6 years,
•High School 6 years
•College or University 3-6 years
• High school is divided into: junior high school (year 7- year 10) senior high school (year 11- year
12) but these vary from state to state

During the junior high school studies, most Australian students decide what to do after high school.
Students who intend to go to college continue year 11 and year 12 to prepare for college or
university entrance examination. Other students may get a job after year 10 or go to a Technical and
Further Education (TAFE) College to learn technical skills.

The entry age of compulsory education is 6 years old and exit age15 years old. Primary education is
provided by government and non-government primary schools. The length of the program is six
years for six years old to twelve years old children. However, in most states, children start primary
school at the age of five when they enroll in preparatory or kindergarten year.

After the primary school, the junior secondary level which is for four years comes next. The age level
of children in this level is from 12 to 16 years old. At the end of the junior secondary level, a Junior
Secondary Certificate of Education (Year 10 Certificate) is awarded. The government, non-
government Co-Educational Comprehensive/Multi- Purpose High School provides junior secondary
level of education.

A senior secondary level is provided for two years after the junior secondary level. Students are from
16 to 18 years old in this level. Senior secondary level is no longer compulsory education. It is being
offered by government and non- government providers. A senior Secondary Certificate of Education
(Year 12 Certificate) is awarded at the end of the senior secondary level.

From the primary to the secondary levels, most students are enrolled in government schools which
operate under the direct responsibility of the State or Territory Education Minister. The federal
government provides supplementary financial support.

Higher Education. The main purposes of Australian Higher Education are: 1.to enable individuals to
develop their capabilities for effective participation in the workforce, for constructive contribution to
society and for personal growth and fulfillment; 2. to advance knowledge and understanding; 3. aid
the application of knowledge and understanding for the benefit of the economy and the society; 4.
enable individuals to adapt and learn, consistent with the needs of an adaptable knowledge-based
economy at the local, regional and national levels; 5. contribute to democratic civilized society.
Australian universities are autonomous self-accredited institutions established by Federal, State or
Territory legislation. Academic year in Australia begins in March and ends in November.

Undergraduate studies last between three years (Arts, Science, Commerce) four years (Education,
Engineering) five years, (Veterinary Science, Dentistry, Architecture) and six years (Medicine and
Surgery) full time. Arts and Science usually offer either a bachelor's degree (Pass) obtained in four
years. An honours degree is normally required for university level second stage: postgraduate
studies.

A graduate with a bachelor's degree can proceed to a one-year to two-year post graduate course
leading to a postgraduate diploma. A student who has qualified for a bachelor's degree (Honours)
may proceed to a master's degree. This degree may be obtained after one year (Pass Degree) or
two years (Honours degree) of full time study.

A student who has qualified for a bachelor's degree (honours) may proceed to study for doctorate
usually Ph.D. , higher doctorate in science (DSsc) or Humanities (DLitt) upon submission of
published work are awarded the degrees.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF CHINA

The most populous country of the world is China. With over 200 million students attending public
schools taught by over 9 million teachers in the elementary, junior, and senior high schools, it is the
largest educational system of the world (Wang, 1996; Nanjundiah, 1996). The course syllabi are
written by scientists and professors hired by the National Educational Commission.

The subject matter and instructional contents are uniform for all. The first six years of school make
up the primary grades which is devoted to development of cognitive skills, and this is followed by
another six years of high schools. Class size ranged from 40 to 60 students and the students have to
cover all topics in order to pass national examinations. Students wishing to attend university 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)

Education, one of the fundamental Chinese traditions entered to a new era of deep transformation
after 1949. Education was used as a vital tool for centralization and unification of the country. The
new educational system include: 1. six years of primary education 2. Three years of junior middle
school, three years of senior middle school 3. Six years of university 4. Varieties of technical and
vocation schools.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF JAPAN

The Japanese education system is highly centralized and is administered by the Mombusho or
Ministry of Education. The school system from kindergarten through university serves about million
students, with about ten percent going to the university. About one third go to the private schools
and the rest are enrolled in the public of national school system (Abner, 2002)

The Japanese educational system is sometimes seen as a model of how operate schools. The
system gives a mental picture of obedient, quiet school children sitting on their desks, listening to the
teacher and working hard to pass various entrance examinations. In 2005, a book Japan in the 21st
Century: Environment, Economy and Society says:
 " Japan's educational system produces students who perform for better on international
examinations than Americans do, and Japanese students are indisputably among the best in the
world in solving mathematical equations...Youngsters are well behaved, envied around and law
abiding; Japan's low crime rates are well known and widely envied around the world. But what is
even more striking than the lack of crime is the overwhelming civility; graffiti and vandalism are rare
and schools sports teams not only bow to each other before the game but rush over the opposing
team's stand after the game to pay their respect."

Basic Education Structure of Japanese Educational System

The Japanese educational system is divided into five basic levels: kindergarten, elementary school
(six years) lower secondary school (three years) upper secondary (three years) and university
(usually around four years).

There are also preschool (yochien) with mainly female teachers. These are not official part of the
educational system. Prefectural boards license teachers, appoints teachers to public elementary and
secondary schools and also license preschools in their area.
In Japan, education is free and compulsory for children 6 to 15 years. Classes are large and
teaching methods is usually lecture. Japanese students spend 243 days in a year in school. The
school calendar is year-round with some breaks between sessions.

Standard curriculum includes Japanese language, Social studies, Math and Science along with Art,
Music, Home Economics, Physical Education, and the most emphasis being given to learning the
Japanese language. Lower secondary schools cover grade 7, 8 and 9. Class size average 38 and
the periods are fifty minutes long.

Upper secondary schools offer academic, technical and vocational programs. The first year courses
included Japanese language, English, Science and Math. Vocational course includes information
processing, navigation, fish farming, ceramics and business English. The upper secondary schools
are ranked based on their success in placing graduating students into prestigious universities.

Higher Education
Junior colleges by women who want to pursue courses stress home economics, nursing, teaching,
humanities and social science. There are various universities that students can attend in Japan.
Private institutions make up 80% of university enrollments although the public schools have the most
prestige.

To get into the universities (there are more than 500) the student must take two exams; the first one
is a national achievement test and the second one is given by the university itself. The competition is
quite fierce and some students who fail the test will take another year to study and prepare to take
the test again. These students are called ronin, which meant samurai.

Japanese education relies upon examinations to determine which schools the student will go to next,
resulting in a push by students and parents (usually mothers) for their children to study very hard for
the test so that he or she can get into the best schools. The entire educational system seems to be
built on a principle that if you do well in exams, you will get into good schools or universities and
automatically into a good life-time job.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF SOUTH AFRICA

In South Africa, the Constitution guarantees equal access to basic education. The identified values
and principles to South African education include equity and redress, access to basic education
opportunities for lifelong learning, quality, in terms of providing learners with learning opportunities of
acceptable standards, efficiency, democratic participation, sustainability of development and
relevance of education. The Ministry of Education in May 1994 was tasked to deal with education
and training at the national level.
Structure and organization of the educational system in Basic Education.
Formal education in South Africa is categorized into sectors or levels. These sectors are closely
linked to particular levels: namely, public ordinary school education, independent school education,
special school education, technical college education, teacher training and university training.

A public school may be an ordinary public school or a public school for learners with special
educational needs. The levels are pre-primary, primary, secondary and higher education.
Compulsory General Education and Training (GET) covers the reception year, Grades R to Grades
IX. The General Education and Training corresponds to Level 1 of the National Qualification
Framework (NQF) and is divided into three phases: foundation (Grades R-III) intermediate (Grades-
VI) and senior (Grades VII-IX). As a rule, children start primary education is divided into junior
primary (Grades I-III) and senior primary (Grades IV-VI).

Grades VII-IX is the last stage of compulsory education and will lead to General Education and
Training Certificate. Further Education and Training (FET) or senior secondary education (Grades X-
XII) is not compulsory. At the end of Grade XII, students sit a public examination leading to senior
Certificate. Technical secondary education which generally lasts for three years are offered in
technical centers, high schools and vocational schools.

The eight learning areas that form the basis of all basic education up to the Further Education
Training(FET) Certificate are: * Language, Literacy and Communication * Mathematical Literacy,
mathematics and Mathematical Science * Natural Science * Technology * Human and Social
Science * Economics and Management Science * Arts and Culture * Life Orientation

Higher Educational System Tertiary and higher education correspond to Level 5-8 of the National
Qualification Framework (NQF) which is used more advanced than the Senior Certificate. Institutions
of higher education include colleges, technikons and universities. Most colleges of education offer a
three-year programme leading to the Diploma in Education (four year for higher diplomas). Nursing
colleges and hospital schools of nursing offer four-year course leading to a diploma.

Agricultural colleges offer one-year certificate, two-year higher certificate and three –year diploma
courses. Technikons also offer bachelor’s (four-year course) masters and doctoral degrees
(magister technologiae) usually require a minimum of one year of study, the doctorates (Laureatus in
Technology/Doctor Technologiae) at least two years. An honours degree requires one additional
year of study. A master’s degree is obtained after one or two year of study and the minimum time to
complete a doctorate is two years.

One school year consists of forty-one week (196 school days) which is divided into four terms. Other
relevant sectors of the educational structure include special education, private education or
independent schools, adult and non- formal education and HIV/AIDS education.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF UNITED KINGDOM

In England, education is compulsory for children ages 5-16. •Most children attend primary schools
until they are eleven and the transfer to secondary schools. In the primary school the subjects are
taught by the same teacher for a year before moving on to the next teacher and next grade level on
the next year.(Sadker,2002)

The National Curriculum is defined as the minimum educational requirement for compulsory school
age, 5 to 16 years. It is mandatory for all state schools to provide a balanced broadly based
curriculum which promotes spiritual, moral, cultural, mental and physical development, prepares
them for opportunities, responsibilities and experiences of adult life. It includes religious education
and for secondary students sex and career education. Almost all the schools whether private or state
choose to follow the national curriculum.
Basic education
The national curriculum core subjects include English, Mathematics, and Science. Each key level
has definite emphasis that gradually becomes more advanced as the level progresses. •Foundation
Stage- this is included in the national curriculum which 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.

Key Stage One- it includes children aged 5-7 years and year groups grades 1-2. It mandates core
subjects including English, Mathematics, and Science and non- core foundation subjects as
design/technology, history, art/design, music and physical education. Other statutory areas are
religious education, the format of which is decided by local education authorities (LEA’S) or by the
faith in which the school was founded. •Key Stage Two- it includes children aged 7-11 and year
groups 3-6. It mandates the same core and non- core foundation subjects, with more emphasis on
more difficult topics and the addition of sex education to additional statutory areas which is left up to
the policy of school governors (school board).

Key Stage Three- it includes children aged 11- 14 years and year groups 7-9. It mandates the same
basics in Key Stages One and Two, but adds Foreign Language, and Information/ Communication
Technology to the mix while adding appropriate difficulty to the core subjects. •Key Stage Four- it
includes those aged 14-16 and year groups 10-11. It covers the statutory program that must be
taught to all students. Most schools include in their core curriculum courses that lead to qualifications
in each of the five subject areas which are English, Math, Science, Information and Communication
Technology (ICT), and Physical education.

Post 16 Education- it is not mandatory in England. Students can either continue education or enter
working world. Some secondary schools go beyond the 11-16 mandates to 11-18 and the student
may stay there. If the high school does not offer these ‘Sixth Form’ extra years, the student may go
to a “Further Education College” (FEC). The following certificates or diploma can be awarded in the
Post 16 Education. General Certificate of Education (GCE), a level comprising advanced subsidiary
(AS) and A2, each of these usually containing three assessed units. Vocational 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; they replaced the advanced General National Vocational
Qualifications (GNVQs). Foundation and Intermediate GNVQ are widely used 16-19. Key skills
qualifications at levels 1-4 of the National Qualifications framework.

Higher Education
In 1992, the binary divide in the higher education system was abolished. Former polytechnics
became universities enabling them to award their own degrees. Divisions continue to label pre-1992
universities as the “old” universities and the former polytechnics as the “new” universities.
Universities are not only concerned with the undergraduate and postgraduate teaching. Higher
education system in the UK needs to include reference to the Open University as a major provider of
the undergraduate and postgraduate degrees for adults. The Open University pioneered the way for
opening access by offering greater flexibility for adult learners through distance learning programs.

Students studying at a university for their first degree are called “undergraduates”. Once a student
has graduated, he/she becomes a “graduate” of the university. Ordinary degree programmes in the
UK universities are usually 3- year courses. Undergraduates completing these programmes
successfully are awarded either a Bachelor of Arts (B.A.) or Bachelor of Science (B. Sc.) degrees
are not permitted to place B.A. or B.Sc after their names. •Honours degree programmes are usually
four- year courses. The degree title is extended to B.A. (Hons.) and B.Sc. (Hons.), respectively.

Masters degree is usually achieved after two more years study following an Ordinary or an Honour
degree. The students are awarded M.A. or M.Sc. A doctorate is normally awarded after several
years (three years full time) of research under the direction of a member of a department of a
possession of a doctorate and the presentation of a doctoral dissertation or thesis.

EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM OF THE UNITED STATESOF AMERICA

The levels of education in the U.S. are similar to those in other countries. There are public and
private colleges, schools and universities in the United States. The public schools are funded, in
part, by a city, and/or state, and or state pay less tuition because some tax money is used to
subsidize the tuition. Non U.S. residents would pay more, since they would not be residents of the
city or state where the college or university is located. Private colleges and universities are
supported primarily by tuition and private contributions. All students must pay the same tuition no
matter where they come from.

Structure and Organization of Basic Education

Pre-primary education- types of school providing this education are kindergartens, nursery schools,
preschool programmes, and child/day care centers.
Age level is 4-6 years old and the duration is 2 years.  
Primary education- elementary school- there is varied levels of schooling in the primary education.
Grades 1-4- children are from ages 6 to 10 -Transition to middle school
Grades 1 to 5- children are from ages 6 to 11 - Transition to middle school
Grades 1-6- children are from ages 6 to 12 - Transition to junior high school
Grades 1-7- children ages 6 to 14 - Transitions to junior high school
Middle school education- Grades 4-6, 5-7, or 6-8.
Age level is from 10-14
Length of the program is 3 years.

Secondary education- high school- Grades 7-12 or 8-12

Ages 12-18 years old - High school diploma is awarded
2 levels - Junior high school Grades 7-8, 7-9, or 8-9  
Ages 12-14 years old - Senior high school - Grades 9-12, or 10-12 - Ages 14-18 years old.
Duration of compulsory education is from entry of 6 years old to exit of 18 years old.

Higher Education Higher education in the U.S. begins at the post secondary education. It is diverse
and autonomous community of publicly and privately supported institutions. Current data states that
there are some 2,819 institutions offering Bachelor’s or higher degrees and 4,927 institutions offering
shorter non degrees of two years duration. These higher education institutions are classified
according to the following categories:
- Research universities (I and II) - Comprehensive doctorate granting institutions that have
extensive theoretical and applied research in a wide variety of programs. Doctorate –
granting universities (I and II) – Universities offering comprehensive studies but awards
- Doctorate in limited fields or areas.
- Master’s (Comprehensive) universities and colleges (I and II) – Institutions offering academic
and professional programmes at the Bachelor’s and Master’s levels but do not award
research doctorate.
- Baccalaureate (Liberal Arts) Colleges (I and II)- Institutions offering Bachelor’s degrees but
not higher.
- Associate of Arts colleges- they offer academic and professional or occupational studies at
the Associate Degree level including public community colleges and public and private junior
colleges.
- Professional school and the other specialized institutions- institutions that offer only one or
few related courses in the professional or academic with degree levels from associate to
research doctorates.
 - Postsecondary vocational and technical schools- institutions offering short non-degree
training programs of less than two years duration, leading to certificates or diplomas in
occupational specialties.

Post secondary education- there is no real age categories for post secondary education. Generally,
American students starts college right after completing high school (About 60% of all students who
graduate from high school enter college at some point in their life), Junior and technical colleges are
designed to be 4- year programs at the undergraduate level. In reality, the average American takes
over 6 years to finish a four year degree. The reason is that more than 50% of college freshmen do
not know what major or specialization they wish to study. Also many students work to pay for college
expenses. Thus, they may take fewer classes in order to work.

Vocational and technical schools operate at either the high school or junior college levels. They
teach skills such as secretarial, auto- mechanics, photography, and nursing.

College and University education- a college usually has a Bachelor’s (4 year) program. A university
may be composed of several colleges (for example, the college of medicine and the college of
engineering). Universities often have graduate programs as well. For most purposes, a Bachelor’s
degree from a college is equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree from a University, so that the two words
“college” and “university” mean the same thing to most Americans. Generally, the value of a degree
is a reflection of how society views the particular college or university. From a Bachelor’s degree a
student can proceed to a graduate program for master’s degree or doctorate degree. For non-
residents of the U.S., a TOEFEL is required and a Graduate Record Examination or GRE is a must.

Classes begin in September and end in June of every year. The language of instruction is English.
Learning Activity- Take Action!

So you have traveled to some places of the world. You surveyed examples of educational
systems that have educated millions of citizens of the world. As a future teacher, it is best that you
become familiar with some of these educational systems. Let us now find out how much have you
learned.

Title: Educational System of Selected Countries of the World

Name of Country Levels of Education Description of Each Special Features

Level
1. Austria

2. China

3. Japan

4. South Africa

5. England

6. United States
of America

Make a Reflection!

1. Based on your matrix of the various educational systems of other countries, how would you
compare our Philippine Educational System? Is our educational system globally competitive?
2. If given an opportunity to experience teaching in another country listed above, where would
you like to teach? Why?