Education in Chile

Education in Chile is considered to be inequitable amongst the population.

The Ministry of Education is responsible for pre-primary, primary, and secondary schooling in Chile. The pre-primary level is two years of non-compulsory education for children four to five years of age.Primary and secondary education are compulsory. Primary education is from ages 6 to 13, and secondary education is from ages 14 to 17. In 2000, 99 percent of school-age children were studying at primary schools, and 90 at secondary schools.

School Categories

In terms of financing, there are the following kinds of schools:

Municipal: State-subsidized schools run by municipalities, which may also contribute monetarily to the schools. The majority of the population studies at these schools (64% at the primary level).
Particular Subvencionado: Private with a government subsidy. At the primary level, 29% of the population attends this kind of school.
Particular: Private. At the primary level, 7% of the population attends this kind of school.
Corporate Schools: Schools run by corporations and which receive the same state subsidy that the municipal schools receive.
After graduation from high school, students may choose to go to college, to work, or to study at a professional institute or technical center. In Chile, a university education is much less common and much more prestigious than in the U.S.

Prueba Selección Universitaria (PSU) is the national exam that students must take in their last year of high school, if they want to enter college.

Chilean public universities are more competitive than private ones, although the private colleges may have additional entrance examinations. Some students opt to enter a pre-university program to prepare for the exam.

At the university level, students are divided by faculty and then by year. University students study for four to seven years; those studying for four or five years usually get the equivalent of a bachelor's degree. Degrees in engineering, medicine and law are given after six or seven years of college.

Chilean Government-Sponsored Programs

There are a number of Chilean Government-sponsored programs which support English-language learning, scholarships, and testing for Chilean citizens. In no particular order of importance or funding, following are at least five notable programs:

CORFO: The overall mission of this agency is to encourage and support entrepreneurship and innovation. Of one of the many legs this organization supports includes offering adult professionals in selected and approved industries two- or four-months of intensive English courses.
SIMCE: This yearly administered testing to children throughout the country, measures their skills in various topics. Recently, English-language acquisition was added to the skill list of the nation-wide SIMCE testing.
ENGLISH OPENS DOORS (Inglés Abre Puertas): This multi-faceted, Chilean Ministry of Education-sponsored program, has morphed since its inception in year 2002, but has included inviting English-speaking volunteers into the country to assist English acquisition into the public school system (kinder through 12th grade).
SENCE: The Chilean government provides income tax credits to employers that pay for employees that participate in language courses from companies that meet the SENSE requirements as set forth by the Chilean governmental standards and regulations.
BECAS CHILE: Educational scholarships provided to advanced Chilean university-level students that intend to study abroad in those countries where English will be the primary language of instruction for any variety of career studies.

Hong Kong Education System

Kindergartens

In Hong Kong, kindergartens and kindergarten-cum-child care centres (hereafter collectively referred to as "KG") provide services for children from three to six years old. The aim of kindergarten education in Hong Kong is to nurture children to attain all-round development in the domains of ethics, intellect, physique, social skills and aesthetics; to develop good habits so as to prepare them for life; and to stimulate children’s interest in learning and cultivate in them positive learning attitudes, in order to lay the foundation for their future learning.

Primary Education

The Government aims to provide a balanced and diverse school education that meet the different need of our students; help them build up knowledge, values and skills for further studies and personal growth; and enhance students' biliterate (i.e. English and Chinese) and trilingual (i.e. English, Putonghua and Cantonese) abilities.

Primary schooling starts at the age of around six and there are 6 years of schooling at the primary level. There are three modes of operation in the primary schools, namely AM, PM and whole-day. Encouraged by the Government, most primary schools are adopting whole-day operation. Chinese is the language of instruction in most schools with English taught as a second language.

Since the curriculum reform at the basic education level in the 2001/02 school year, there has been enhanced learning and teaching in classrooms. Students are now enjoying a wide range of learning activities and there are improvements in students’ generic skills, values and attitudes. They are becoming independent learners. Schools continue to adapt the central curriculum to meet students’ needs. By building on their strengths and experiences, schools can strengthen their curricula to help students better develop their lifelong learning capabilities and nurture their whole-person development.

Secondary Education

There are three main types of local secondary schools – government schools which are operated by the Government; aided schools which are fully subvented by the Government but run by voluntary bodies; and private schools, some of which receive financial assistance from the Government. Government and aided schools deliver a curriculum recommended by the Government. They offer free and secondary education.

Besides, there are some international schools which offer non-local curricula and serve primarily non-Chinese speaking students and foreign nationals.

To cope with the challenges of the 21st Century and the demands of the rapidly developing knowledge-based society, the Government has implemented the 3-year new senior secondary (NSS) curriculum at Secondary 4 in September 2009.

This flexible, coherent and diversified curriculum aims at catering for students’ varied interests, needs and abilities, as well as nurturing students’ whole-person development and lifelong learning capabilities. The first cohort of NSS students graduated in the summer of 2012.

All students can now benefit from 6 years of secondary education. At the end of Secondary 6, students take one public examination - the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, which replaces the former Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination. The first HKDSE examination was held smoothly in 2012. The HKDSE qualification has gained extensive recognition locally and worldwide, in international benchmarking studies such as the NARIC (National Recognition Information Center) report and the Tariff System of the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in the United Kingdom. As of June 2014, some 170 overseas tertiary institutions, including renowned universities such as Oxford and Yale, have accepted the new qualification for admission purpose, and more are being added.

Post-secondary Education

The Government strives to provide multiple study pathways for secondary school leavers, with multiple entry and exit points. Some of them will study bachelor’s degree programmes direct after completing HKDSE. Some will choose to study sub-degree programmes. Upon graduation, they can pursue study in top-up degree programmes (i.e. “2 + 2” arrangement) and obtain their undergraduate qualifications.

At present, there are 20 local degree-awarding institutions (9 publicly-funded and 11 self-financing ones) in Hong Kong. Apart from undergraduate programmes offered, students can also choose a wide diversity of sub-degree programmes, various continuing and vocational programmes that best suit their interests and ability.

We adopt a two-pronged strategy of promoting the parallel development of the publicly-funded sector and the self-financing sector in developing post-secondary education in Hong Kong. In academic year 2013/14, over one-third of the relevant age cohort will have the opportunity to pursue degree-level education. Taking sub-degree places into account, nearly 70% of young people will have access to post-secondary education.

There is also a wide array of taught and research postgraduate programmes for students who have graduated from their undergraduate studies to choose from.

Vocational Education

Vocational education plays a pivotal role in broadening the learning opportunities for school leavers and in-service personnel as well as nurturing the requisite human capital in support of Hong Kong’s development. The Government have been attaching great importance to vocational education.

The Vocational Training Council (VTC) provides through its 13 member institutions around 250 000 training places each year, offering people of different education levels with pre-employment and in-service vocational education and training programmes.

Various post-secondary education institutions also offer more than 250 higher diploma programmes, of which at least 60% of the curriculum is devoted to specialized content in specific disciplines, professions or vocational skills.

International schools

Apart from local schools, the Government aims to develop a vibrant international school sector in mainly meeting the demand for school places from overseas families living in Hong Kong and families coming to Hong Kong for work or investment.

Thai Education System

Understand the different levels and the grading system in Thai schools...
Since 2001 Thailand's educational system is divided into three levels:

Level 1: first three years of school
KG1 to KG3 – 3 years to 5 years old
Level 2: Primary or elementary school (Prathomsuksa or Prathom)
P1 to P6 – 6 years to 11 years old
Level 3: Secondary school (Mattayomsuksa or Mattayom)
M1 to M6 – 12 years to 18 years old
Level 1 is optional, but Thai children are required to complete levels P1 to M3.

At the end of each year, students must take a test in order to move on to the next level. If the student cannot pass the test, they may have to repeat the last completed year or may be given an option of attending a summer school programme at the end of which the student will be retested. Students cannot continue to the next level until they pass the test. However, it is not common for students to be held back as, typically, the student can take the test again with the assistance of a teacher. This can be repeated until the student passes the required exam.

After completing the final obligatory year, M3, students who wish to continue their education must take the Ordinary National Educational Test (O-NET). At the end of M6 they take the Advanced National Educational Test (A-NET) in order to graduate. Graduating from M6 is the equivalent to graduating after taking A levels, the International Baccalaureate or the Standardised Achievement Test (SAT) in the US.

In order to attend a university after graduating from M6, students must pass the Central University Admission System (CUAS). This system is based on the scores of the O-NET and the A-NET as well as the Grade Point Average from M4.

The Grading System
Thailand uses a number grading system in primary and secondary schools.

Highest: 4
Lowest: 1
Many English programmes and some individual teachers still use the A, B, C, D and F gading system with F being the failing grade.

Grading at the university level is based on a credit points system. Each subject is graded individually and the points are tabulated.

The Education System in Singapore

The education system in Singapore aims to support the development of children’s strengths and social skills. All in all, Singapore’s students produce very good academic results and often pursue excellent careers. Still, the government is constantly working on reforms of the education system in Singapore, in order to remain flexible and guarantee a high quality of education.

An Overview of Singapore’s Educational System

Singapore has 365 schools altogether, including primary schools, secondary schools, junior colleges, and mixed-level schools. There are different paths which lead to a university degree or a job. However, the first steps into the education system in Singapore usually start with pre-school. Singaporean children attend pre-school up to the age of six, getting prepared for primary school.

After six years of primary school, children move on to secondary school. The education system in Singapore allows students to choose a path at this point. They can decide whether they wish to attend a normal secondary school, a specialized school, an integrated program, or some other institution which offers a similar education. Post-secondary education takes between one and three years and offers a choice of schools, including junior colleges, polytechnics, and institutes of technical education.

Pre-School Education

Pre-school education is an essential aspect of the education system in Singapore. It consists of one year of nursery and two years of kindergarten (although some institutions admit children at a much younger age). At pre-school, children learn to develop basic language and writing skills, as well as social skills, creativity, and physical activities. At the same time, they will learn two languages (usually English and either Chinese, Malay, or Tamil).

Local kindergartens adhere to the school year as is observed all throughout Singapore. They usually offer three or four hours of schooling per day. Make sure to apply for your kid’s admission early on. Registration exercises usually take place in March for enrolment in the following year. You can contact childcare centers or kindergartens individually to learn more about their programs or admission requirements. Keep in mind that there is a slight difference between childcare centers and kindergartens. While the former are licensed by the Ministry of Social and Family Development (MSF), the latter are registered with the Ministry of Education (MOE).

If you want to make sure that your child receives the best pre-school education the education system in Singapore has to offer, check if the kindergarten or childcare center of your choice is accredited according to the Singapore Pre-School Accreditation Framework (SPARK). The Ministry of Education has a list of accredited pre-schools. You should also check with your doctor in Singapore about which vaccinations your child needs to be accepted.

Primary Education in Singapore

From the age of seven onwards, children attend a primary school, consisting of a four-year foundation course and a two-year orientation stage. The goal of this stage of the education system in Singapore is to teach children basic math skills, give them a good grasp of the English language, and to improve their knowledge of their mother tongue.

Primary schools vary greatly in terms of the educational program and extracurricular activities they offer. It is important to take a second look at your kid’s interests and see if the school of your choice matches these interests. Some schools focus on sports, others on arts, or social clubs.

Schools with a Special Focus

The education system in Singapore has a very high quality, but may leave some children who have special needs in the dust. This is why some schools put a special focus on children who feel out of place at a regular primary school. Most schools have experienced teachers who are capable of taking care of children with minor learning disabilities. However, designated schools offer special facilities for physically or mentally handicapped children. That way, kids who do not benefit from mainstream education receive a viable alternative.

Education in Bhutan

Primary Education

Education in Bhutan in the mountainous region between China and India is a voluntary affair, because many of the people live in far-flung places where they follow traditional lives. In larger settlements where primary schools exist, children are taught for seven years, mainly in English.

Secondary Education

Even fewer children complete a further four years of secondary education, which follows a general academic curriculum without opportunities for specialization. More wealthy parents have the choice of sending children to private schools instead, often in foreign countries.

Tertiary Education

Bhutan EducationThere is a single higher-level junior college, and two teacher training colleges. The sole tertiary institution is the University of Bhutan, founded by royal decree in 2003 and illustrated here.


Its faculties offer diplomas and degree courses in science & technology, business studies, traditional medicine, language & culture, education, health sciences, natural resources, and management. Students whose needs are not catered for will study elsewhere abroad.