Education

Education plays a very important role in our life. It may reveal our abilities and help to choose the right occupation in life. It also influences the formation of our personality.

We moved to Canada over 3 years ago. My son finished grade 3 in Ukraine and he went to grade 4 in Canada. Of course, our first year was very tough for him: new language, new classmates, and different subjects, but he liked one thing: no homework! In Ukraine all students starting from grade 2 have homework every day that they have school. Grade 4 concludes with a state examination that measures performance in Ukrainian Language, Reading and Math. Of course, my son eluded this, because there are not these exams in Saskatchewan. As well, for students of grade 1-4 available " a group of longer day", which works till 5pm. Kids can do their homework there or play. School provides dinner for those kids for some fee. My son used to like those dinners. Basically. all schools in Ukraine support free lunches for students of grade 1-4, and for some fee for older children. I expected the same in our school in Saskatchewan, and it was unusual to pack a lunch box every day, at first.

Beginning from grade 5 each subject is taught by a different teacher. While in Canada one teacher can teach a few subjects. After grade 9 students have taken state exams, after passing exams they are eligible to enroll technical schools or colleges of different types. After graduating they may enter higher educational institutions. While in Canada students who intend to be enrolled in university must graduate grade 12. By the way, in Ukraine starting in 2018, 11-year-school program was replaced by 12 years.

In general, I like the Canadian school system. Kids learn at school and have free time out of school. As far as I know children in Canada like to go to school, which I can't say about Ukrainian students.