A Closer Look on the Education System of Selected Countries

 Benchmarking is learning the best from the best practices of the world’s best educational
systems.
 World Best Education Systems: 2015 1st Ranking
 “As a future teacher, you shall be guided by UNESCO's principle on that Education is for
All and that this education is anchored on the Five Pillars which are:
Five Pillars
1. Learning to Know,
2. Learning to Do,
3. Learning to Be,
4. Learning to Live together, and
5. Learning to transform

Educational System of Australia

Basic Education in Australia

 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.
 Primary Schools are for six years, high school, six years and college or university, three to six
years.
 High school is divided into junior high school (year 7- year 10) and 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 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 age, 15 years old.
 Primary education is provided by government and non- government primary schools.
 The length of the program is six years for 6 years old to 12 years old children.
 However, in most states, children start primary school at the age of 5 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 in Australia

 The main purpose 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 with the undergraduate level. To be admitted, a Senior
Secondary Certificate of Education is required. The main stage of the university education
leads to a bachelor's degree.
 Undergraduate studies last between three, (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 in 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.
 The Japanese educational system is divided into five basic levels: kindergarten,
elementary school (six years) lowers secondary school (three years) upper secondary (three
years) and university (usually around four years).
 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 seven, eight and nine. Men compose two-thirds of
the teachers in this level. 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 in Japan

 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.
 60% of the universities have graduate schools, but only seven percent of university
graduate gets Master's degrees.
 At the doctorate level, students enroll in medical programs and the humanities.
Japan
 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 in South Africa

Basic Education in South Africa

 Formal education in South Africa is categorized into sectors or levels.
 These sectors are closely linked to particular levels: namely,
1. public ordinary school education,
2. independent school education,
3. special school education,
4. technical college education,
5. 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).
 The eight learning areas that form the basis of all basic education up to the Further
Education Training(FET) Certificate are:
1. Language, Literacy and Communication
2. Mathematical Literacy, mathematics and Mathematical Science
3. Natural Science
4. Technology
5. Human and Social Science
6. Economics and Management Science
7. Arts and Culture 8. Life Orientation

Higher Education in South Africa

 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 in 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.
 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.
Key Levels
1. Foundation Stage
2. Key Stage One
3. Key Stage Two
4. Key Stage Three
5. Key Stage Four
6. Post 16 Education

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. o General
Certificate of Education (GCE), a level comprising advanced subsidiary (AS) and A2, each
of these usually containing three assessed units. o 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 o General National Vocational
Qualifications (GNVQs). o Foundation and Intermediate GNVQ are widely used 16-19. o Key
skills qualifications at levels 1-4 of the National Qualifications framework.

Higher Education in United Kingdom

 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 in United States of America

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 in USA

 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.
 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.
 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.
 Classes begin in September and end in June of every year. The language of instruction is
English.
 These higher education institutions are classified according to the following categories:
Higher Education Institutions
 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.
 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.

Educational System in New Zealand

 New Zealand education system is a world-class, modern and responsive.
 It combines proven, traditional principles of education with innovation, creativity and fresh
thinking to produce learners and citizens equipped for the 21st century.

Basic Education in New Zealand

 School is compulsory for all children in New Zealand from age 6-16.
 Children are eligible for free education if they are New Zealand citizens or residents, or if
they qualify as domestic students.
 The average number of students to a teacher in every classroom is 18-1 in primary
schooling and 15-1 in secondary schooling in state schools.  There are three types of
schools in New Zealand.
3 types of school in New Zealand
1. State-funded;
2. State integrated; and
3. Private
 There is a national curriculum which is set out as a learning requirements for all state
schools.
 In the basic education there are key competencies and shared vision, principles and
values.
Core subjects in New Zealand
English, Health and Physical Education, Language, Mathematics and Statistics,
Science, Social Science, Technology, The Arts
 Secondary schools may add other subjects such as accounting, art history, media studies
and specialized science and language studies.
 There are five competencies covered by the national curriculum.
5 competencies covered by the National Curriculum
Thinking;
Using language, symbols, and texts-different ways to communicate and understand
information; 
Managing self-a “can-do” attitude
Relating to others-being able to listen, see different points of view and share ideas; and
Participating and contributing-big a group member and including others.
 It also requires the importance of different cultures to value:
• Excellence • Innovation, inquiry and curiosity • Diversity • Respect • Equity • Community •
Ecological • Integrity

New Zealand Levels of Education

Schooling Level Year/Grades Age
Early Childhood Pre-school Birth-5 years
Primary School Years 1-8 5-13
Intermediate School Years 7-8 11-13
Not always applicable as some
primary schools include these years
Secondary School Years 7-13 11-17 0r 18
Also known as College/High
School/Grammar School
Tertiary University or similar 17 onwards
Also includes Institutes of Technology
and Polytechnics
Primary school
 New Zealand law requires all children aged 6 years and over to be in schools.
 Most begin as they turn 5 years old.
 For the first three years in primary education, one grade level each year, children are
moved to another five more years before going to secondary school.

Secondary schools
 Students’ progress through five levels and must stay until age 17-18.
 In the first two years of secondary, grade 9 and 10, all students learn English, Mathematics,
Science and Technology, Social Studies, Arts, Physical Education and Health Education.
 Optional subjects in the first two years of secondary schools may include Economics,
History, Geography, Electronics, Sewing, Keyboard skills, drama, journalism, French,
Japanese and Maori.
 In the last 3 years of secondary school, there is a wide range of subjects to choose from.
 Years 12 and 13, the last two years, may suit overseas students who wish to progress to
tertiary education in New Zealand.
 There is a National Certificate in Educational Achievement (NCAE) in New Zealand’s
national qualification for secondary students.
 There are three NCAE qualifications: • Level 1 • Level 2 • Level 3

School Term
 The New Zealand school year is divided into four terms for primary, intermediate and
secondary schools.
 Students have six week summer holiday break and three two- week breaks between each
of the four terms.
 The exact dates change from year-year.  School day usually begins at 9:00 am and ends
at 3:00 pm or 3:30 pm.
 The terms are:
Term 1- Early February until mid-April
Term 2- Late April until the beginning of July
Term 3- Mid-July until later September
Term 4- Mid-October until Mid-December

Higher Education in New Zealand

 Universities in New Zealand
 There are 8 government-funded universities in NZ.
 A university is open to anyone who meets the common standards prescribed by the New
Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA).
 The academic year for Universities start in March to November, however, there are also
courses in the universities that start in July.
 Summer semester courses may be available.

Institutes of Technology and Polytechnics

 state-owned
 there are 20 polytechnic and technology institutes
 short-term courses

Private Training Institutes and English Language Programs

 800 private education providers in New Zealand, many of which offering short-term English
language courses.
 offer courses in specific areas like business, computing and design.
 registered and accredited by New Zealand Qualifications Authority.

Basic Education in the Philippines

Basic Education in the Philippines (K-12)

 The K-12 basic education in the Philippines consists of Kindergarten, 6 years of Elementary,
4 years of Junior high school, and 2 years of Senior high school.
 Kindergarten became mandatory in SY 2012-2013.
 The teaching in Kindergarten is built around six domains.
 From Grade 1-10 is a core of academic subjects taught using the spiral progression
approach.
 The subjects from Grades 1-10 are the Languages (Mother Tongue, Filipino, English), Math,
Science, Social studies, TLE, MAPEH.
 Mother Tongue is used as the medium of instruction from K-Grade 3 and is taught as a
subject only in Grades 1, 2 and 3.
 Science as a subject is taught only beginning Grade 3.
 TLE is taught starting Grade 4 until Grade 10.
 In Grades 11-12, the subjects are Languages (Filipino and English), Math, Science, Social
studies combined with TLE-Career Pathways.
 The focus in Grade 11 and 12 is on the specialization subjects that equip the learner for
the career path of his/her choice.
 These career paths come in 3 tracks- academic, techvoc and sports and arts.
 Those college bound choose the academic specialization.
 Those who wish to continue the TLE specialization they had in Grade 9 and Grade 10 may
choose the techvoc track.
 another track can be sports and arts.
 Elementary Education is concerned with the learners’ mastery of basic skills and
competencies.
 Secondary education is geared towards the consolidation of these knowledge and skills
mastered at the elementary level and is focused on equipping the learner with employable
gainful skills or preparing him/her for middle level skills development or higher education.

K TO 12 BASIC EDUCATION PROGRAM

LEVEL OF SCHOOLING AGE DESCRIPTION

Kindergarten 5 PRE=ELEMENTARY
Grade 1 6 ELEMENTARY
Grade 2 7
Grade 3 8
Grade 4 9
Grade 5 10
Grade 6 11
Grade7 12 JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Grade 8 13
Grade 9 14
Grade 10 15
Grade 11 16 SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL
Grade 12 17

Higher Education in the Philippines

 Students who graduate in high school consisting of four years may proceed to colleges,
universities or technical vocational institutions, which are classified as higher education
institutions.
 Higher education institutions are supervised by a government agency called the
Commission on Higher Education or CHED.
 Majority of the higher education institutions in the country require entrance examination
for admission to college degree programs.
 Most college degree programs are four years for baccalaureate degrees.
 Other highly specialized field like medicine and law take around eight years to complete.
 For technical vocation education or post secondary education, there are two-year
courses.
 Most of the college degree programs require passing a licensure examination for the
specific profession. (Nursing, Dentistry, Medical Technology, Medicine, Engineering and
Teaching)
 The examination are given by the Professional Regulation Commission (PRC) while for law,
the examination is given by the Supreme Court.
 After completing the bachelor’s or baccalaureate degrees, courses in the masters
program of two years and doctoral program for three years are offered by authorized
colleges and universities.  Most of these institutions have admission requirements for the
specific degrees.

The Teaching Profession - Linkages & Networking with Organizations

“We cannot live for ourselves alone. Our lives are connected by a thousand invisible
threads, and along these sympathetic fibers, our actions run as causes to us as results.”
The school can enjoy linkages and networking activities with international, national and
local organizations in the community for mutual benefits and assistance needed.
Linkage and networking are different in the degree of commitment by the partners. In
linkage, the relationship between partner organizations is quite loose, while in networking, it
is much stronger, usually because the groups and agencies have common objectives and
beneficiaries. Networking is basically extending the outreach of the resources in different
ways so as to increase the effectiveness of the program.
Intends to serve members of both sides according to their respective needs, interest, and
objectives Create bonds together to solicit support and assistance for purposeful activities

Acronyms

WCCI – World Council for Curriculum

ASCD – Association for Supervision of Curriculum and Development
PAFTE – The Philippine Association for Teacher Education
SUCTEA – State, Universities and Colleges Teacher Educators’ Association
FAAP – Federation of Accrediting Association of the Philippines
PACUCOA – The Philippine Association of Colleges and Universities Commission on
Accreditation
PAASCU – Philippine Accrediting Agency for Schools, Colleges and Universities
AACUP – Association for Accrediting Colleges and Universities of the Philippines
ERDA – The Educational Research and Development Assistance
MFI – Metrobank Foundation, Inc.
NOTED – Network of Outstanding Teachers and Educators
AFI – Ayala Foundation, Inc.
FUSE – Foundation for Upgrading Standards in Education
PFST – Philippine Foundation for Science and Technology
PBeD – Philippine Business for Education
LCC – Literary Coordinating Council
DOST – The Department of Science and Technology