INCA Education around the world
Canada : Education Structure (ages 3-19)
Education in Canada comprises 10 provincial and three territorial systems, each of which includes public schools, separate schools and private schools.20
3.1 Compulsory education
Typically, compulsory education in Canada begins at age 6 or 7 (and lasts for about ten years), with most provinces also offering one or two years of pre Grade/Year 1 or Kindergarten education (beginning at either age 5 or 6, dependent on the province) as an option. Pre-school programmes involving younger children are typically not part of the public school system. The minimum age for leaving school is either 15 or 16 depending on the jurisdiction,37 but most students continue until around age 18 (Year/Grade 12).24,21
Provinces and territories generally permit home education, with parent accountability ensured through a registration process. Guidelines and policies are set by each jurisdiction for monitoring student progress.21
Children may be educated at home. A parent is responsible for informing the local school board of his/her decision to provide a home education programme for his/her child (by returning the relevant form). Public funding is usually provided for home education; this is generally via a funded private school which has agreed to supervise a student's home education programme. Home education students must receive at least two assessments in each school year by the funded private school to which they are linked. Funded private schools overseeing education at home must provide a minimum of 50 per cent of basic funding for home education to the parents of home education students for the purchase of programmes of study and instructional materials.1
The School Act permits parents to educate their children at home if they provide their children with an 'educational programme'. Parents or guardians are not required to obtain school approval or supervision for such programmes, but are required to register home-schooled children by 30 September each year. Registration may be with any of the following:
- A public school in the district in which the parent or guardian resides.
- A regional correspondence school that serves the district in which the parent or guardian resides.
- An independent school in British Columbia.62
Since 1 July 2008, students in Ontario have had to continue in education (or another approved learning programme) from age 16 to the completion of secondary education at age 18. The only other provinces in Canada where it is currently compulsory to age 18 are New Brunswick, and since 2011, Manitoba174. All Ontario residents can take secondary school courses through distance learning for diploma credit or for personal interest. These courses are offered by the Ministry's Independent Learning Centre.50 The Ontario Government is aiming to improve access for home schooling parents to standard tests and other learning tools. Information on home-schooling in Ontario is also available from the website of the Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents.
All Ontario residents can take secondary school courses through distance learning for diploma credit or for personal interest. These courses are offered by the Ministry's Independent Learning Centre.50 The Ontario Government is aiming to improve access for home schooling parents to standard tests and other learning tools. Information on home-schooling in Ontario is also available from the website of the Ontario Federation of Teaching Parents: .
In Saskatchewan, a home-based education programme is defined as 'an educational programme, based in the home, started and directed by parents or guardians, for their own children aged between 6 and 17 years inclusive'.78
Parents or guardians who choose to educate their children of compulsory school age at home must meet certain requirements. They must, for example, produce a written educational plan, which outlines their home-based education programme, and must register their programme with their resident board of education, or, for a transitional period of time, with the Department of Education, Training and Employment.78
