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Do you know why Canadian universities attract more than 57% of the world's adults to receive higher education?
Canada's higher education system is undoubtedly one of the most respected in the world. According to a 2022 report by the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD), Canada proudly ranks as one of the most educated countries in the world, with over 57% of adults holding a college degree. How was this achieved?
Canada has a large number of public universities, and most are publicly funded.
Canada's higher education is primarily funded, supervised, and implemented by the federal, provincial, and local governments. Educational authority lies primarily at the provincial level, which results in differences in educational curricula across provinces. Most of Canada offers education in both French and English, providing a wealth of options for a multicultural society.
The world's oldest institution of higher learning, Université Laval in Quebec, was founded in 1663, while the University of Toronto is the country's largest, with more than 85,000 students enrolled. Four universities are regularly ranked in the top 100 globally: University of Toronto, University of British Columbia, McGill University and McMaster University. A total of 18 universities are ranked in the world Top 500.
According to a 2016 report, 89 per cent of Canadian adults have at least a high school diploma.
Canada's investment in education is considerable, accounting for approximately 5.3% of its GDP each year. The investment exceeds $20,000 per student in education, aimed at improving the quality and accessibility of education. In addition, Canada's adult literacy rate is as high as 99%, which is one of the reasons why it is the most educated country in the world.
In tests based on educational assessments, Canadian 15-year-old students' math, science and reading skills are significantly above the OECD average.
The structure of the Canadian education system is also worth noting. The age range for compulsory education varies from 5 to 7 years old to 16 to 18 years old, and this policy provides flexible educational options. Nearly 60,000 children were home-schooled in 2016, showing the importance parents place on education. Provincial governments are responsible for most of the details of education, which leads to differences in the quality and model of education between different provinces.
In each province, some places provide publicly funded secondary school courses for the further education of adults. This policy reflects the high educational requirements of the labor market, with many occupations requiring a high school diploma or college degree. Students who have not yet completed secondary education also face greater career challenges.
In 2010, Canada's post-secondary completion rate was 51%, making it a world leader.
The Canadian government continues to promote innovation and reform in education, including the introduction of a fast-track program for international students to make it easier for foreign graduates with Canadian work experience to become permanent residents. Universities have also added ethnic cultural courses, including Aboriginal studies and anti-racism education, to enhance students' understanding of multiculturalism.
Educational institutions across Canada follow provincial curriculum designs to ensure the quality of educational content.
Educational institutions in Canada's provinces are usually managed by local school committees, which ensures the effective use of educational resources within the region. Most public schools are coeducational and uphold social diversity and inclusion. It is worth noting that each province’s education system follows its own historical and cultural background, forming a unique education model in the process.
The core purpose of education development across Canada is to cultivate talents who can adapt to the needs of future society. So, where do you think the future development direction of education should be?
