Curriculum
How are subjects administered in the education system?
According to Education State University (2019), in both Canada and Jamaica at the primary or elementary level, one teacher delivers all subjects at each grade. At the secondary level, a teacher for each subject.
How is the education system structured?
In both Jamaica and Canada the education system consists of early childhood, primary, secondary and tertiary level. In Jamaica the secondary level is divided into 2 cycles. First cycle (grade 7 to 9) and secondary cycle (grade 10 to 13). In Canada the secondary level is divided into junior high (grade 7 to 9) and senior high (grade 10 to 12).
What financial assistance is provided for lower income families for education?
According to Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development Education Policy Outlook for Canada (2015), in Canada there is the National Universal Childcare Benefit (NUCB) Programme which provides supplementary income for eligible low income families in all provinces and territories. It issues a taxable $100 monthly payment to families for each child under the age of 6 to help cover the cost of childcare.
According to the online website Scholarship Jamaica, in Jamaica the PATH (Programme of Advancement through Health and Education) is a conditional cash transfer programme funded by the government to assist with providing financial aid to the most needy and vulnerable of society.
What level of qualification is required for teachers?
For both Canada and Jamaica a minimum of a first degree is required to teach. In Canada all provinces require teachers to have a licence or certificate to teach. Some provinces in insist on five years study or a masters degree.
Explain the academic assessment methodology
Canada does not have external exams which is why it does not have a school ranking system. Unlike Jamaica Canada keeps students' records internal and uses it throughout the students' life. In Jamaica there are varying examinations at varying levels. In order to matriculate to high school, the Primary Exit Profile (PEP) is done. In high school, students have a variety of exit exams such as Caribbean Examination Council (CSEC), City and Guilds and Technical Vocational Educational Training (TVET).
What are the roles of those administering education?
In both Canada and Jamaica, they are responsible for both planning, financing, curriculum development and assessing learnt knowledge.
How long is the school calendar?
In accordance to the Education Regulation (1980) of Jamaica, it is obligatory for every educational institution to meet for no less than 190 days.
Is education compulsory or voluntary?
For both Canada and Jamaica early childhood is voluntary. Primary for Jamaica is compulsory but secondary is voluntary. However in Canada, both primary and secondary are compulsory.
What considerations are taken into account throughout the design process?
In Canada the curriculum content is designed with local and provincial needs at the forefront. In Jamaica the curriculum is designed to prepare and transition individuals to the next level of the education system.
How is the education system funded?
In Jamaica it is funded mostly by the government, tuition fees from private schools, education tax paid by employees and parent teacher association fundraising. In Canada it is funded by provincial departments, federal funds and the Parents Advisory Councils.
What financial aids exist for education?
Loans- For Canada: National Student Loan Service Centre
For Jamaica: Student Loan Bureau
Grants- Canada Learning Bond- this provides up to $2000 for low income families after high school to access post-secondary education.
For Jamaica- PATH provides $15,000 to $30,000 to PATH beneficiaries to resit CSEC or sit CAPE
Scholarships
How are schools administered and supervised?
In Jamaica schools are administered by the Ministry of Education and its 6 regional offices and is supervised by Education Officers. Education in Canada is overseen by the federal government but is managed by the provincial departments. In Canada there are 10 provinces and 3 territories. Each province and territory is led by a department or ministry of education and is led by a Minister of Education (Waddington, 2018).
Outline the years spent at each level of the education system
In Jamaica at the early childhood level, 2 to 3 years and in Canada, 1 to 2 years. At the primary level for both Jamaica and Canada, 6 years. At the secondary level, Canada is 5 to 6 years and in Jamaica it is 5 to 7 years. At the tertiary level in both Jamaica and Canada, the years vary based on the program being studied.
What are some issues affecting the education system?
Both Canada and Jamaica:
1. Nutrition of families in the low socioeconomic status.
2. Accessibility of education is limited. Champlain (2015) states that in Canada, colleges and university are not accessible due to the cost associated with funding and. The same can be said about Jamaica.
3. Many children enter schools ill-prepared to master literacy and numeracy skills.
How does the education system cater to learners with disabilities?
According to the Centre for Research on Work Disability Policy (CRWDP) Canada has 14 universities catering specifically to students with disabilities. In Jamaica there are universities that are accessible to students with disabilities however they are not specifically catering to such students.