Education

British children begin their education at the age of five and must attend school to the age of 16. Some go to nursery schools from the age of three to five.
There are state schools and private schools in Britain. The majority of British children (94%) are educated in state schools, which are free of charge.
There have been considerable changes, especially in the secondary education, in the last few decades. Over 90% of secondary schools are now comprehensive and take all children over 11.
But many children start at primary school, at the age of 8 go to middle school and when they are nearly 13 they start to attend comprehensive secondary school.
Comprehensive schools offer general education ending at the age of 16. At that time most of the pupils take some form of public examination in around 7 subjects, the General Certificate of Secondary Education. These exams are national and give pupils a qualification that is recognized in the whole country.
More ambitious pupils continue their education after 16 for another 2 years. During these they take a more academic form of study leading to an examination in two or three subjects. This examination, the General Certificate of Education at Advanced Level, is very important for those, who want to continue their studies at some of the British universities, because according to the results of it the universities choose their students.
The oldest and most prestigious British universities include Oxford University and Cambridge University.
Besides state schools there are private schools in Britain for children aged 11 to 18. Most of their pupils come from state primary schools on the basis on examinations.
Public schools are private boarding schools which are peculiar to Britain. They are for children aged 13 to 18. Their fees are very high so only 5 % of all children attend them. Most exclusive ones, with a long and distinguished tradition, are Eton, Harrow and Winchester Public Schools.
The academic year begins in Britain in September. It is divided into three terms. Christmas and Easter make intervals between them. Children have 14 weeks holiday.
Day schools work from Mondays to Fridays. Classes are held from 9 a.m. to 4 p.m. and the day is usually divided into periods of about 35 minutes. The average number of pupils in a class is 30.
Extra-curricular activities are very important; there are many different clubs, sport teams or orchestra at schools which meet after lessons.

Americans take great pride of their schools. Only one percent of the population cannot read or write.
The USA does not have a national system of education. Each state is responsible for its own educational system; therefore there is a great variety and flexibility in elementary, secondary and higher education throughout the country.
Most schools want the children go to school until they reach a certain age, which varies from 16 to 18.
There are both state and private schools in the USA.
Private schools are smaller and are usually supported by church groups or private founds. Their pupils pay their tuition.
Most of children (88%) attend state schools. American state schools are called public schools.
There can be 3 levels distinguished in the American public school system: elementary (kindergarten – 6th grade), middle schools (6th – 8th grade) and high school (9th – 12th grade).
Students have both compulsory and elective subjects at high schools. Every school has a band, orchestra or choir. There are also school teams that play basketball, football or baseball against other schools. Many schools publish their own newspapers and some have their own radio.
All high school students have mid-term and final exams in each subject. Anyone who fails can go to summer school or can take some extra courses.
In the end of the final year at high school the students take a nationwide standardized test, called Stanford Achievemnt Test. This test is in all subjects and the scores are used for college entrance requirements, therefore the SAT plays a decisive role for students, who wish to continue their education at some American universities.
The USA has some of the world’s most outstanding universities, including Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Stanford Univeristy and others.

Education in our country includes 4 stages: pre-school, primary, secondary and tertiary.
Pre-school education is provided by crèches for children up to 3 years of age and nursery schools for children up to 6.
In Slovak republic school attendance is compulsory from the age of 6 to 15.
Most children attend state schools, but there are also newly established private and church schools. Education at state schools up to 18 is free of charge. Private and church schools charge school fees.
Handicaped children are educated separately. At 6 children start to go to primary schools and they stay there until 15, when they transfer to secondary schools – grammar schools, special schools or vocational schools. They can also transfer to grammar schools at the age of 11 after passing entrance examination.
The school year starts on September the 2nd and ends at the end of June of the following year. The school year is divided into 2 terms.
Each term students get their school report with marks from both compulsory and elective subjects.
The average number of lessons is about 30 a week. Classes begin around 8 o’clock. The lessons are 45 minutes long.
Secondary education usually lasts for 4 years and is mostly finished with a school-leaving examination in four or more subjects. It is held in May and is oral, except Slovak, in which also an essay is written. In the oral part the students chooses one of 25 topics by drawing a number and after a few minutes’ preparation he/she speak about the topic and solves given tasks. It is very important, as it is required by all universities in the country.
Universities and colleges provide tertiary education which lasts from 4 to 6 years. Each secondary school graduate can apply for as many universities/colleges as he/she likes, but before the acceptance they have to pass entrance examination in the subjects which each university specializes. The university/college students can enroll at 3 year courses for a Bachelor’s Degree or 4 and 5 year courses on Master Degree.
The study is finished with a state examination. Every undergraduate also has to write a thesis in order to receive a diploma in a certain field of study. The diploma is handed over at a graduation ceremony.
Every large regional town in our country is a seat of a university or college now.
Our oldest university is Komensky University in Bratislava, founded after World War 1.
For those, who don’t want to enter a university there are various types of training-courses.