Compare the

Different K12
Program of
Various Countries
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 Education in South Korea
Education in South Korea is provided by both public schools
and private schools. Both types of schools receive funding
from the government, although the amount that the private
schools receive is less than the amount of the state schools.
Elementary schools (Korean: 초등학교, chodeung hakgyo)
consists of grades one to six (age 8 to age 13 in Korean
years—6 to 12 in western years). The South Korean
government changed its name to the current form from
Citizens' school (Korean: 국민학교, Gungmin hakgyo) in
1996. The former name was shortened from 황국신민학교
(Hwangguk sinmin hakgyo), which means school of the
people who are subjects of the Empire (of Japan).
 Education in South Korea
In elementary school, students learn the following
subjects. The curriculum differs from grades 1-2 to grades
3-6. Grades 3-6:
Korean (listening, speaking,
Grades 1-2: reading, writing)
We Are First Graders (Korean: English
우리들은 1학년) (grade 1 only) Moral Education
Korean (listening, speaking, reading, Social Studies
writing) Mathematics
Mathematics Science
Disciplined Life (Korean: 바른생활) Art
Sensible Life (Korean: 슬기로운생활) Music
Enjoyable Life (Korean: 즐거운생활) Practical Arts
Physical Education Physical Education
Middle schools consist of three grades. Most students
enter at age 12 or 13 and graduate at age 15 or 16
(western years). These three grades correspond roughly
to grades 7-9 in the North American system and Years 8-
10 in England and Wales's system.
They take seven lessons a day, and in addition to this
usually have an early morning block that precedes
regular lessons and an eighth lesson specializing in an
extra subject to finish the day. Unlike with high school,
middle school curricula do not vary much from school to
school. Korean, Algebra, Geometry, English, social
studies, and science form the core subjects, with
students also receiving instruction in music, art, PE,
Korean history, ethics, home economics, technology, and
Hanja.
High schools in South Korea teach students for three
years, from first grade (age 15-17) to third grade (age
17-19), and students commonly graduate at age 18 or
19. High school students are commonly expected to
study increasingly long hours each year moving toward
graduation, to become competitive and be able to
enter attractive universities, such as the top SKY (Seoul
National, Korea, and Yonsei Universities). Many high
school students wake and leave home in the morning
at 5 a.m. and return home after studying well after 10
p.m., then return to specialty study schools often to 2
a.m., from Monday to Friday and also they often study
on weekends.
For Korean university admissions, college scholastic
ability tests, student's grade books and university
regulated examinations are evaluated. The
student's grade book contains an overall record of
their high school activity, including voluntary work.
College scholastic ability tests include language,
mathematics, English, social and natural sciences,
job research and a second foreign language. The job
research section applies only to students of
vocational schools. The second foreign language
requirement applies only to students who pursued
a liberal arts curriculum as opposed to natural
sciences.
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 Education in JAPAN
Primary education in Japan covers grades seven, eight, and
nine; children are generally between the ages of 13 and 15.
Teachers often majored in the subjects they taught, and
more than 80% graduated from a four-year college. Classes
are large, with thirty-eight students per class on average,
and each class is assigned a homeroom teacher who
doubles as counselor. Unlike kindergarten students, primary
school students have different teachers for different
subjects. The teacher, however, rather than the students,
moves to a new room for each fifty- or forty-five-minute
period.
 Education in JAPAN
Instruction in primary schools tends to rely on the
lecture method. Teachers also use other media,
such as television and radio, and there is some
laboratory work. Some subjects, such as Japanese
language and mathematics, are coordinated with
the elementary curriculum. Others, such as foreign-
language study, begin at this level, though from
April 2011 English became a compulsory part of the
elementary school curriculum.
The junior school curriculum covers Japanese
language, social studies, mathematics, science,
music, fine arts, health, and physical education.
All students are also exposed to industrial arts
and homemaking. Moral education and special
activities continue to receive attention. Most
students also participate in one of a range of
school clubs that occupy them until around 6pm
most weekdays (including weekends and often
before school as well), as part of an effort to
address juvenile delinquency.
The junior school curriculum covers Japanese
language, social studies, mathematics, science,
music, fine arts, health, and physical education.
All students are also exposed to industrial arts
and homemaking. Moral education and special
activities continue to receive attention. Most
students also participate in one of a range of
school clubs that occupy them until around 6pm
most weekdays (including weekends and often
before school as well), as part of an effort to
address juvenile delinquency.
HIGH SCHOOL
Even though upper-secondary school is not compulsory in Japan, 94%
of all junior high school graduates entered high schools as of 2005.
The first-year programs for students in both academic and
commercial courses are similar. They include basic academic courses,
such as Japanese language, English, mathematics, and science. In
upper-secondary school, differences in ability are first publicly
acknowledged, and course content and course selection are far more
individualized in the second year. However, there is a core of
academic material throughout all programs.
Vocational-technical programs includes several hundred specialized
courses, such as information processing, navigation, fish farming,
business, English, and ceramics. Business and industrial courses are
the most popular, accounting for 72% of all students in full-time
vocational programs in 1989.
UNIVERSITIES AND COLLEGES
Higher education in Japan is provided at universities
(daigaku), junior colleges (tanki daigaku), colleges of
technology (koto senmon gakko) and special training schools
and community colleges (senshu gakko). Of these four types
of institutions, only universities and junior colleges are strictly
considered postsecondary education providers.
The overwhelming majority of college students attend full-
time day programs. In 1990 the most popular courses,
enrolling almost 40 percent of all undergraduate students,
were in the social sciences, including business, law, and
accounting. Other popular subjects were engineering (19
percent), the humanities (15 percent), and education (7
percent).
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 Education in PHILIPPINES
Elementary school, sometimes called primary school or
grade school (Filipino: paaralang elementarya, sometimes
mababang paaralan), is the first part of the educational
system, and it includes the first six years of compulsory
education (Grades 1-6) after compulsory pre-school
education called Kindergarten.
In public schools, the core/major subjects that were
introduced starting in Grade 1 include Mathematics,
Filipino, and Araling Panlipunan (this subject is synonymous
to Social Studies).English is only introduced after the
second semester of Grade 1
 Education in PHILIPPINES
Science is only introduced starting Grade 3. Other major
subjects then include Music, Arts, Physical Education, and
Health (abbreviated as MAPEH), TLE (Technology and
Livelihood Education) for Grade 6, EPP (Edukasyong
Pantahanan at Pangkabuhayan) for Grades 4 and 5, Mother
Tongue (Grades 1-3) and Edukasyon sa Pagpapakatao
(synonymous to Ethics, Values or Character Education). In
private schools, subjects in public schools are also included
with the additional subjects including:Computer Education
as a separate subject, though it is included in EPP and TLE
through its ICT component.
In Christian and Catholic schools, Religious Education is also part
of the curriculum like Christian Values and Ethics, Christian
Living, or Bible Studies. Islamic schools like Madrasah schools
have a separate subjects for Arabic Language and for Islamic
Values or abbreviated as ALIVE. Chinese schools may also have
subjects in Chinese Language and Culture. International schools
also have their own subjects in their own language and culture.
From Kindergarten-Grade 3, students will be taught using their
mother tongue, meaning the regional languages of the
Philippines will be used in some subjects (except Filipino and
English) as a medium of instruction. Aside from being
incorporated as a language of instruction, it is also a separate
subject for Grades 1-3. But from Grade 4, Filipino and English as
a medium of instruction will then be used.
SECONDARY EDUCATION
Secondary school in the Philippines, more commonly
known as "high school" (Filipino: paaralang sekundarya,
sometimes mataas na paaralan), consists of 4 lower levels
and 2 upper levels. It formerly consisted of only four levels
with each level partially compartmentalized, focusing on a
particular theme or content. Because of the K-12
curriculum, the high school system now has six years
divided into 2 parts. The lower exploratory high school
system is now called "Junior High School" (Grades 7-10)
while the upper specialized high school system is now
called "Senior High School" (Grades 11 and 12).
SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
The new high school curriculum includes core
classes and specialization classes based on student
choice of specialization. Students may choose a
specialization based on aptitude, interests, and
school capacity. Classes or courses are divided into
two: Core Curriculum Subjects and Track Subjects.
There are seven learning areas under the core
curriculum. These are languages, literature,
communication, mathematics, philosophy, natural
sciences, and social sciences.
TERTIARY EDUCATION
All tertiary education matters are outside of the
jurisdiction of DepEd, which is in charge of primary
and secondary education, but is instead governed
by the Commission on Higher Education (CHED).
The local government establish these institutions
through a process and number of ordinances and
resolutions, and are also in charge of handling the
financing of these schools. Special higher education
institutions (HEI's) are institutions that offer courses
and programs that are related to public service.
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Education in UNITED KINGDOM
Education in the United Kingdom is a devolved matter with
each of the countries of the United Kingdom having
separate systems under separate governments: the UK
Government is directly responsible for England; whilst the
Scottish Government, the Welsh Government and the
Northern Ireland Executive are responsible for Scotland,
Wales and Northern Ireland, respectively. In England and
Wales, the EYFS (Early Years Foundation Stage) is applicable
to children aged 5 and below, and the national curriculum is
applicable to children aged 5+.
Education in UNITED KINGDOM
In each country there are five stages of education: early
years, primary, secondary, further education (FE) and higher
education (HE). The law states that full time education is
compulsory for all children between the ages of 5 (4 in
Northern Ireland) and 16, the compulsory school age (CSA).
In England, compulsory education or training has been
extended to 18 for those born on or after 1 September
1997. This full-time education does not need to be at a
school and a number of parents choose to home educate.
Before they reach compulsory school age, children can be
educated at nursery if parents wish though there is only
limited government funding for such places.
Further Education is non-compulsory, and covers
non-advanced education which can be taken at
further (including tertiary) education colleges and
Higher Education institutions (HEIs). The fifth stage,
Higher Education, is study beyond A levels or BTECs
(and their equivalent) which, for most full-time
students, takes place in universities and other
Higher Education institutions and colleges.
UNIVERSITIES IN UNITED KINGDOM
Universities in the United Kingdom have generally
been instituted by Royal Charter, Papal Bull, Act of
Parliament or an instrument of government under
the Further and Higher Education Act 1992. For new
public universities, approval is required from the
Privy Council, while private universities may be
granted the right to use the title by Companies
House. Institutions that hold degree awarding
powers are termed Recognised Bodies, this list
includes universities, university colleges,
UNIVERSITIES IN UNITED KINGDOM
colleges of the University of London, higher
education colleges, and the Archbishop of
Canterbury. Listed Bodies offer courses leading to
degrees of a Recognised Body, this includes
institutions whose degrees are validated by a
recognised body, and the colleges of the universities
of Oxford, Cambridge, Durham, and the Highlands
and Islands. Undergraduate applications to almost
all UK universities are managed by the Universities
and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
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 Education in AUSTRALIA
Pre-school and pre-prep programmes in Australia
are relatively unregulated, and are not compulsory.
The first exposure many Australian children have to
learning with others outside of traditional parenting
is day care or a parent-run playgroup. This sort of
activity is not generally considered schooling, as
pre-school education is separate from primary
school in all states and territories, except Western
Australia. Pre-schools are usually run by the state
and territory governments
Primary and Secondary Education
School education in Australia is compulsory
between certain ages as specified by state or
territory legislation. Depending on the state or
territory, and date of birth of the child, school is
compulsory from the age of five to six to the age of
fifteen to seventeen. The curriculum framework
however provides for some flexibility in the syllabus,
so that subjects such as religious education can be
taught. Most school students wear uniforms,
although there are varying expectations and some
Australian schools do not require uniforms.
Tertiary Education
Tertiary education (or higher education) in Australia
is primarily study at university or a technical college
studying Diploma or above in order to receive a
qualification or further skills and training. A higher
education provider is a body that is established or
recognized by or under the law of the Australian
Government, a State, the Australian Capital Territory
or the Northern Territory. VET providers, both public
and private are registered by State and Territory
governments.
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 Education in SOUTH AFRICA
Education in South Africa is governed by two
national departments, namely the department of
Basic Education (DBE), which is responsible for
primary and secondary schools, and the department
of Higher Education and Training (DHET), which is
responsible for tertiary education and vocational
training. Prior to 2009, these two departments were
represented in a single Department of Education.
Basic Education System (Primary and Secondary
Schools)
The DBE officially groups grades into two "bands" called General
Education and Training (GET), which includes grade 0 plus grades 1 to
9, and Further Education and Training (FET), which includes grades
10-12 as well as non-higher education vocational training facilities.
The GET (General Education and Training band) is subdivided further
into "phases" called the Foundation Phase (grade 0 plus grade 1 to 3),
the Intermediate Phase (grades 4 to 6), and the Senior Phase (grades
7 to 9).
The administrative structure of most ordinary schools in South Africa
do not reflect the division of bands and phases, however. For
historical reasons, most schools are either "primary" schools (grade R
plus grades 1 to 7) or "secondary" schools, also known as high schools
(grades 8 to 12).
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 Education in BRAZIL
Education in Brazil is regulated by the Cabinet of
Brazil, through the Ministry of Education, which
defines the guiding principles for the organization of
education programs. Local governments are
responsible for establishing state and education
programs following the guidelines and using the
funding supplied by the federal government.
 Education in BRAZIL
Education is divided into three levels, with grades in
each level:
Pre-school education (educação infantil)
Basic education (ensino básico) is free and mandatory for
those between the ages of 4 and 17. It consists of
Fundamental Education I and II, equivalent to primary
school, and middle education (ensino médio), equivalent to
secondary school.
Higher Education (Ensino Superior) (including graduate
degrees) is free at public universities.
Private institutions are also found in Brazil.
Child education (educação infantil)
Pre-school education is optional and exists to aid in
the development of children under 6. It aims to
assist in all areas of child development, including
motor skills, cognitive skills, and social skills while
providing fertile ground for the later acquisition of
knowledge and learning. There are day nurseries for
children under 2, kindergartens for 2- to 3-year-olds,
and preschools for children 4 and up. Public
preschools are provided by city governments.
Secondary school (ensino médio)
Secondary education takes three years. The minimum is
2,200 hours of teaching over four years. Students must
have finished their fundamental education before they
enroll in ensino médio. Secondary education core
curriculum comprises Portuguese (including Portuguese
language, essay studies, Brazilian and Portuguese
literatures), foreign language (usually English, also Spanish
and very rarely French), History, Geography, Mathematics,
Physics, Chemistry and Biology. Philosophy and Sociology,
which were banned during the military dictatorship (1964-
1985), have become compulsory again.
Higher education (ensino superior)
Secondary education is mandatory for those wishing
to pursue higher education. In addition, students
must pass a competitive entrance examination
(known as vestibular) for their specific course of
study. The number of candidates per available place
in the freshman class may be in excess of 30 or 40 to
one in the not so competitive courses at the top
public universities. The most competitive ones
excess 80 or 150. In some courses with small
number of vacancies, this number can be as high as
200 (medical school, for example).
As is the case in many nations, higher education in Brazil
can be divided into undergraduate and graduate work. In
addition to providing education, universities promote
research and provide separate classes to the community.
The standard Brazilian undergraduate degree, styled
"bacharelado", is awarded in most fields of arts,
humanities, social sciences, mathematical sciences, or
natural sciences, and normally requires four years of post-
secondary studies at a certified university. Students who
wish to qualify as secondary school teachers must complete
a separate licentiate ("licenciatura") degree course, which,
like a "bacharelado", has a normal length of four years and
has a stronger emphasis on teaching methods and
pedagogy.
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 Education in CANADA
Education in Canada is for the most part
provided publicly, funded and overseen by
federal, provincial, and local governments.
Education is within provincial jurisdiction and
the curriculum is overseen by the province.
Education in Canada is generally divided into
primary education, followed by secondary
education and post-secondary.
 Education in CANADA
As the education system in Canada is managed
by the varying provincial governments in
Canada, the way the educational stages are
grouped and named may differ from each
region, or even between districts and
individual schools. The ages are the age of the
students when they end the school year in
June.
Early childhood education
Junior Kindergarten or Pre-Kindergarten (ages 3-5) (Ontario only)
Grade Primary or Kindergarten (ages 5-6)
Elementary education
Grade 1 (ages 6-7)
Grade 2 (ages 7-8)
Grade 3 (ages 8-9)
Grade 4 (ages 9-10)
Grade 5 (ages 10-11)
Grade 6 (ages 11-12)
Grade 7 (ages 12-13) (outside Ontario, most provinces and territories
group grades 7, 8 and 9 into junior high, others include grade 5 or 6
through grade 8 into middle school)
Grade 8 (ages 13-14)
High School
Grade 9 (ages 14-15)
Grade 10 (ages 15-16)
Grade 11 (ages 16-17)
Grade 12 (ages 17-18)
Grade 12+ (ages 18-21) (Ontario only)
Tertiary Education
College: In Canada, the term college usually refers to a
community college or a technical, applied arts, or applied
science school. These are post-secondary institutions
granting certificates, diplomas, associates degree, and
bachelor's degrees.
University: A university is an institution of higher
education and research, which grants academic
degrees in a variety of subjects. A university is a
corporation that provides both undergraduate
education and postgraduate education.
Graduate school: A graduate school is a school that
awards advanced academic certificates, diplomas
and degrees (i.e. master's degree, Ph.D.)
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 Education in UNITED STATES
Education in the United States is mainly provided by the public
sector, with control and funding coming from three levels:
federal, state, and local. Child education is compulsory. Public
education is universally available. School curricula, funding,
teaching, employment, and other policies are set through locally
elected school boards with jurisdiction over school districts with
many directives from state legislatures. School districts are
usually separate from other local jurisdictions, with independent
officials and budgets. Educational standards and standardized
testing decisions are usually made by state governments.
The ages for compulsory education vary by state. It begins from
ages five to eight and ends from ages fourteen to eighteen.
 Education in UNITED STATES
Compulsory education requirements can generally be satisfied
by educating children in public schools, state-certified private
schools, or an approved home school program. In most public
and private schools, education is divided into three levels:
elementary school, middle school (sometimes called junior high
school), and high school (sometimes referred to as secondary
education). In almost all schools at these levels, children are
divided by age groups into grades, ranging from kindergarten
(followed by first grade) for the youngest children in elementary
school, up to twelfth grade, the final year of high school. The
exact age range of students in these grade levels varies slightly
from area to area. Post-secondary education, better known as
"college" in the United States, is generally governed separately
from the elementary and high school system.
Typically, the curriculum in public elementary education is
determined by individual school districts. The school district
selects curriculum guides and textbooks that are reflective
of a state's learning standards and benchmarks for a given
grade level. Learning Standards are the goals by which
states and school districts must meet adequate yearly
progress (AYP) as mandated by No Child Left Behind (NCLB).
In others, teachers play a significant role in curriculum
design and there are few top-down mandates. Curricular
decisions within private schools are made differently than
they are in public schools, and in most cases without
consideration of NCLB.
Elementary School teachers are trained with emphases on
human cognitive and psychological development and the
principles of curriculum development and instruction.
Teachers typically earn either a Bachelors or Masters
Degree in Early Childhood and Elementary Education. Some
attribute this to the fact that elementary school teachers
are trained as generalists; however, teachers attribute this
to the priority placed on developing reading, writing and
math proficiency in the elementary grades and to the large
amount of time needed to do so. Reading, writing and math
proficiency greatly affect performance in social studies,
science and other content areas.
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