Canada has a public education system that is the responsibility of its provincial governments. There are three levels: primary, secondary (these two levels are often referred to K-12, i.e. kindergarten to year 12) and higher. Education is compulsory until 16 in most provinces, but 18 in Ontario and New Brunswick.
Many schools include programmes to educate children about the indigenous population of Canada.
In some provinces schools are divided by language, with children only allowed to attend French schools if either parent has the language as their mother tongue. About 8% of Canada’s students attend private schools, which are either elite or religious institutions.
Universities are controlled by the provinces and these means that the cost of tuition varies in each province. Quebec’s universities are the cheapest because it receives most state funding. All universities can award degrees and diplomas.
