The Elementary School of Secondary Education
The post-secondary educational system in Canada is made up of elementary, secondary and post tertiary schools. Post-secondary schools are colleges or universities that specialize in particular areas of study such as science, technology, education and nursing. The school system in Canada starts with elementary school and then progresses through to secondary school (high school or secondary school). This system also consists of twelve grades which include grade one, grade six, grade seven, grade ten, grade eleven, grade twelve, grade thirteen, grade fourteen, grade fifteen, grade sixteen, grade seventeen and grade eighteen.
Community schools
In addition to the above high schools there are community schools, private schools, and even faith-based and synagogues that offer secondary and post-secondary educations. The average time to complete the coursework needed for graduation from secondary school is about two years. In most provinces secondary education is free but there are some provinces that charge tuition fees. There are also some provinces that have programs that help parents who wish to go back to school while helping them to find work.
In most provinces you need a high school diploma to go to secondary school. However some territories require that you have a GED prior to enrolling in a vocational school. Some areas of Canada that have tuition free entry into vocational schools include British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Ontario, and Atlantic Canada. In some other areas of Canada like Saskatchewan, Manitoba and Alberta, a GED is not required to be enrolled but it does help.
The cost of tertiary education
The cost of tertiary education varies greatly depending on the level of study. Most people going to secondary education have at least a bachelor’s degree, although some choose to go to university and obtain a master’s or doctorate degree. Many times the cost of education is shared between public and private colleges or universities. Colleges usually offer financial aid to those eligible for admission who don’t have the funds available from family and/or income sources to pay for their education costs.
If you don’t have the money for higher education, there are options like community colleges, certificate programs, trade schools, universities, colleges, universities or private schools that offer post-secondary education. Community colleges are for students who need two years or less of training. Certificate programs are for one year and are generally intended to train students to work in specific fields. Trade schools usually last a few months and teach specific skills that will be valuable in the job market. Universities can take a full four year course load or study part time and are well respected for their academic achievement and research capabilities.
Attending a university
Attending a university provides many advantages. First of all, it allows students to complete their secondary school education without having to leave the home. This can be very beneficial if they have a child with special needs. Also, attending a university allows students to continue to build and strengthen their credit rating, which will allow them to apply for a higher level of government employment or enter the workforce after graduation.
Continuing education opportunities
Continuing education opportunities are important for professionals to keep up on changing developments in their field. For example, engineers should learn new technology, industrial trends, safety concerns and design methods for building construction and renovation. An engineer who is able to continue a learning process through post-secondary education will have a greater understanding of his profession and be better equipped to get better employment opportunities.
In some cases, depending on the level of degree completed, a diploma is not enough to obtain employment. Students who wish to pursue a higher degree should consider enrolling in an online or technical college. Some community colleges also allow students to pursue higher education without a full-time commitment. Whatever type of secondary education program a student completes, attending school online or offline should be researched beforehand to make sure that it is the right fit for the student. Although earning a diploma is certainly the best choice, there are other factors to consider as well.