EDUCATION IN CANADA Most children in Canada start kindergarten at the age of five, but in Ontario only, children start junior kindergarten at the age of four. Elementary school then starts at age six and continues until the age of 12. At this age, children then progress to junior high schooland then to high school at the age of 14, where it is compulsory to stay until the age of 16. Many children however, stay until they are 18, particularly in the states of Ontario and New Brunswick where this is compulsory State schools are free, and education is compulsory for all children. They are usually co-educational, which means that boys and girls are taught together At the age of 18, students take the high school diploma and they then leave school. The high school diploma is necessary for any student who wants to join a university For less academic students, there are colleges where students can then study vocational subjects and gain certificates or At diplomas. There are also private career colleges where students can study a specific area such as Information Technology. Students who attend university will study for a degree. They are accepted from the age of 18 although many now choose to take a 'gap year delaying the start of university to go travelling A first degree -Bachelor of Arts(BA) or Bachelor of Science(BSc)-normally takes between three and five years of full-time study. Some students may also go on to study for two years on a master's degree programme. Those who want to reach the highest level of study will take a doctorate. Do the statements below agree with the information in the reading passage? Write TRUE if the statement is true according to the passage FALSE if the statement is false according to the passage. NOT GIVEN if the statement is not given in the passage 1 Canadian families don't have to pay for elementary school 2 Most children leave school at 16 3 Most schools are co-educational 4 Students prepare for the high school diploma at junior high school 5 Students need a high school diploma to join a university 6 Many students delay the start of their degree to go travelling 7 A master's degree takes longer than a bachelor's degree. 8 It takes six years in total to get a doctorate Check your answers 3 Make a list of the similarities and differences between education in Canada 2 Do the statements below agree with the information in the reading passage? Write TRUE if the statement is true according to the passage FALSE if the statement is false according to the passage. NOT GIVEN if the statement is not given in the passage 1 Canadian families don't have to pay for elementary school 2 Most children leave school at 16 3 Most schools are co-educational 4 Students prepare for the high school diploma at junior high school 5 Students need a high school diploma to join a university 6 Many students delay the start of their degree to go travelling 7 A master's degree takes longer than a bachelor's degree. 8 It takes six years in total to get a doctorate