Canada: Upholding UN Education Policy
The UN Global Education Initiative has set forward a series of goals for the nations of this world to meet in order hold education to a higher esteem. Three of these goals include providing free and compulsory primary education for all, promoting learning and life skills for young people and adults, and improving the quality of education.(Education for All) The great nation of Canada has done much with its education system in order to meet these goals. Though there is still some room for improvement in their educational system, they have greatly impressed the UN with their obvious emphasis on the importance of enlightening their youth.
The primary education system in Canada consists of one year of education prior to first grade, as well as 6 to 8 years of primary education (CMEC). This is all funded by provincial taxes, at no additional cost to those receiving the education. Currently 95% of all 5 year olds in the country attend pre-kindergarten classes on their own accord, and 98% of all primary education students go on to secondary education(CMEC). However, as can be seen from the chart below, there is a wide range in performance from province to province. This calls into question whether the money is equally allocated to each of these provinces, and if not, if that is really fair to the individuals who are performing lower. Overall, though, the Canadian government has definitely achieved providing a widespread, effective primary education.
Canada Province Report Card
The primary education system in Canada consists of one year of education prior to first grade, as well as 6 to 8 years of primary education (CMEC). This is all funded by provincial taxes, at no additional cost to those receiving the education. Currently 95% of all 5 year olds in the country attend pre-kindergarten classes on their own accord, and 98% of all primary education students go on to secondary education(CMEC). However, as can be seen from the chart below, there is a wide range in performance from province to province. This calls into question whether the money is equally allocated to each of these provinces, and if not, if that is really fair to the individuals who are performing lower. Overall, though, the Canadian government has definitely achieved providing a widespread, effective primary education.
Canada Province Report Card
This picture gives a snapshot of how well each Canadian province performed in each area in 2013.
(Education and Skills. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.)
Canada is doing very well in providing a wide range of education for students, in not just classroom skills, but also more diverse subjects. They include physical education as part of their elementary curriculum, as well as the basic arts (CMEC). Some jurisdictions even provide second language programs, a very useful skill in a country with two official languages. Many schools also provide clubs or after school programs for other interests the children may have, such as sports or space or even advanced mathematics.
Canada has also improved its education system quite a bit in recent years. Currently, it is ranked as the 6th best country for education in the world (Education and Skills). As shown on the below chart, in math it is ranked 7th, Science it is ranked 6th, and in reading it is ranked 5th. However, as stated before, there are very vast differences in performance from province to province. This is, in part, because the national government does not provide a universal plan of education, so each province is in control (About Studying…). It may be wise for the government to take action, and have the high performing provinces set and example for those who are not doing as well.
National Educational Skill Rankings
(Education and Skills. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.)
Canada is doing very well in providing a wide range of education for students, in not just classroom skills, but also more diverse subjects. They include physical education as part of their elementary curriculum, as well as the basic arts (CMEC). Some jurisdictions even provide second language programs, a very useful skill in a country with two official languages. Many schools also provide clubs or after school programs for other interests the children may have, such as sports or space or even advanced mathematics.
Canada has also improved its education system quite a bit in recent years. Currently, it is ranked as the 6th best country for education in the world (Education and Skills). As shown on the below chart, in math it is ranked 7th, Science it is ranked 6th, and in reading it is ranked 5th. However, as stated before, there are very vast differences in performance from province to province. This is, in part, because the national government does not provide a universal plan of education, so each province is in control (About Studying…). It may be wise for the government to take action, and have the high performing provinces set and example for those who are not doing as well.
National Educational Skill Rankings
This graph shows the national reading, science, and math scores by country.
(We could do better than this. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.)
As a whole, Canada is doing very well in the field of education. Being ranked 6th in the world for educational skills, as well as having 98% of the population attending secondary education institutions, are both indicators that it has put much emphasis on the importance of education in their country. That being said, equalizing performance amongst the different provinces could definitely help for a more unified service to the public. If Canada is to make steps toward achieving this goal they will surely benefit as a whole, and only continue to grow on a national level.
(We could do better than this. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.)
As a whole, Canada is doing very well in the field of education. Being ranked 6th in the world for educational skills, as well as having 98% of the population attending secondary education institutions, are both indicators that it has put much emphasis on the importance of education in their country. That being said, equalizing performance amongst the different provinces could definitely help for a more unified service to the public. If Canada is to make steps toward achieving this goal they will surely benefit as a whole, and only continue to grow on a national level.
Sources:
About Studying in Canada - Study Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
CMEC. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
Education and Skills. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
Education for All (EFA). (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
We could do better than this. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
About Studying in Canada - Study Canada. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
CMEC. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
Education and Skills. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
Education for All (EFA). (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
We could do better than this. (n.d.). Retrieved November 4, 2015.
The Canadian Economy
A brief summary of the economic system of Canada: Canada has a market economy system very similar to that of the U.S. A market system is an economic system in which distribution, production, and investment are all determined by the supply and demand of the economy, and is very dependent of competition. Canada is very active in world trade, has pirmarily an industial and urban economy, and has a high standard of living.
The current unemployment rate in Canada is 6.9%, which, in comparison to some other countries(Ireland 9.4%,Jamaica 16.3, Italy 11.8) is fairly good. It is down .2% from 2013, so the trend downward is a positive reflection of the current economy.
The 2014 Canadian budget consisted of 675.1 billion dollars in revenue, but 717.1 billion dollars in expenditures, which puts them at a budget deficit. This does not reflect well on the country, however, the United States also consistently has a budget deficit, with a revenue of $3.029 trillion and expenditures of $3.52 trillion.
The percent of people living below the poverty line in Canada is 9.4%, which is lower than most countries, with nearly 30% in india and 15% in the U.S. This shows a positive side of the Canadian economy, and explains why their is such a high standard of living.
GDP - per capita in Canada: the GDP per capita is currently $44,800.
Canadian Production:
What do they make, how do they make it, and who do they make it for?
Canada has a very large voice in the global market. It is currently ranked third in oil reserves, just behind Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. It’s largest exports include Crude Petroleum ($80.5B), Cars ($45.9B), Refined Petroleum ($18.6B), Petroleum Gas ($12.6B) and Vehicle Parts ($10.7B). Canada has seen an impressive growth of the manufacturing, mining, and service sectors since WWII, and this is how they produce their goods, since the nation has transformed into a primarily industrial and urban economy. A good majority of the goods that they do produce are exported, with a whopping ¾ or their exports being sent to the United States. The breakdown of their exporting percentages is as follows: United States ($320B), China ($20.6B), Japan ($11.1B), the United Kingdom ($9.7B) and Mexico ($7.68B). The top import origins are the United States ($230B), China ($48.9B), Mexico ($23.6B), Germany ($13.9B) and Japan ($12.8B).