Education
Financed by taxes, Québec’s public school system is one of the most modern in the world. Education is accessible to everyone,
free at the elementary, secondary and college (CEGEP) levels and provided in
French and
English. University tuition fees are fairly low compared to the rest of North America. School attendance is mandatory for all individuals aged 6 to 16. Finally, instruction is secular at all education levels.
Preschool
Preschool is the period of educational activities prior to mandatory school attendance. Lasting one year, preschool facilitates the transition from home to school, teaches social and intellectual skills and prepares children for elementary school.
Elementary school
Children attend elementary school starting at age 6. These schools have an average of 20 students per class. As a result, teachers are able to provide better learning conditions, give more attention to students, and intervene quickly at the first sign of problems. At the end of the 6 years of elementary school, students continue their education at secondary school.
Specialized assistance programs are also offered:
| academic counselling |
vocational counselling |
| psychology |
speech therapy |
| remedial instruction |
counselling education |
| special education |
Social and health care |
Finally, schools offer sports, cultural and social activities.
Secondary school
Lasting 5 years, secondary school is divided into 2 levels. The first level provides 3 years of basic general education through language, history, geography, mathematics, art, music and physical education courses. The second level allows students to continue their general education while exploring other subjects offered in an elective system (physics, chemistry, music, history, art, etc.) and various other opportunities that provide access to college programs at a CEGEP or vocational training programs that will qualify them to practice a trade.
CEGEP
CEGEPs are a special feature of the Québec education system. These institutions represent the education level that is completed right before university studies. Pre-university education provides direct access to university education, whereas vocational training programs primarily target the job market. However, there are other ways to be admitted to a university, according to certain conditions.
There is also a network of private institutions recognized by the ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport which is Québec’s department of education, recreation and sports. These institutions also offer official education programs. To attend them, you will have to pay the school’s tuition fee and meet its specific admission conditions.
University
Québec has nine universities spread over seven regions that make it possible for all Quebecers to attend university. Québec universities have faculties in all fields, as well as professional schools of medicine, business, engineering, etc.
Financial aid
The Ministère de l’Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport has created a financial aid program so that money is not an obstacle in the pursuit of higher education. This program, which is one of the most helpful in North America, is accessible to Québec residents who are enrolled full time at recognized institutions.
