Overview of Education System
In Québec, the education system offers a variety of educational programs and services to the public, from preschool through university. The Ministère de l’Éducation et de l’Enseignement supérieur (Ministry of Education and Higher Education, or MEES) fulfills different functions for each level of education. For the preschool, elementary, secondary, and college levels, in which schooling is free, MEES develops programs and determines objectives and often content and standards. With regard to labor relations, it negotiates and signs provincial agreements. With regard to funding, it defines a normative framework and provides most of the educational resources used in schools. At the university level, MEES promotes the advancement of teaching and research by providing universities with the resources required for operation and development while respecting their autonomy and fostering collaboration among their partners.
Preschool education is for 4- and 5-year-olds. Kindergarten for 4-year-olds is offered half-time or full-time in disadvantaged areas. Preschool programs are available for 4‑year‑olds with disabilities at their parents’ request. Accompanied by their parents, all 4‑year‑olds may benefit from the Passe-Partout program, which provides parents with tools to help them foster their children’s success in school and ensure that their children’s transition to school life is positive and stimulating. Full time kindergarten for 5‑year‑olds is not compulsory, but almost all children attend it. Elementary education is compulsory and comprises three learning cycles, each consisting of two years. Secondary education consists of five years of study divided into two cycles. Secondary Cycle One lasts two years and is a continuation of the Common Core education begun in elementary school; Secondary Cycle Two lasts three years. Some secondary schools offer vocational training programs. Secondary school is compulsory until the year students turn 16 years old, normally during the fourth year of secondary school. After completing their secondary studies, students may continue on to CEGEP (a general and vocational college) to acquire two years of preuniversity training or three years of technical training, both of which lead to a Diploma of College Studies.
The public school system is administered by 72 linguistic school boards, of which 60 are French speaking, nine are English speaking, and three have a special status (e.g., two school boards provide services mainly to Aboriginal students). Elementary and secondary education also is provided by private institutions, most of which are subsidized by MEES. Private institutions are subject to the same regulations as public institutions and must implement the official curriculum. The private school system accounts for 6.4 percent of elementary students and 21 percent of secondary students in the youth sector.