AFRICA EDUCATION SYSTEM

Dear Professor Olga Alonsabe,

Good day doc!

After visiting Japan, Korea, China, Finland and United Kingdom, here we go enjoying the place of Africa. Africa is the largest continent in the world. I was so excited to learn their educational system because of the vast area. Well, like any other country, Africa has the same educational system. They also have pre school that is split into 2; Pre grade R and Grade R. Pre school is provided by some provincial departments of education. Children are taught in language, mathematics, life skills, technology, arts, and cultural. It is the same with the Philippine pre school education.

Africa’s primary education is divided into 2; junior primary which students learn for 3 years how to read, write, calculate, and other basics of a second language. During the 3 years of senior primary phase students learn mathematics, history, geography, and science. They also acquire reading and oral proficiency in both their first and second language. Students are also required to attend at least 1 handy-craft skill class. This is a good training ground for the students preparing them for real life. Whether they use the skill for livelihood or not or they may proceed to professional work at least they learn 1 skill to be developed.

Secondary education in South Africa runs from grade 10-12 in the school system and after completing the 12th grade, the students take a qualifying exam equivalent to 6 subjects to be able get a senior certificate. Africa’s academic year is divided into 4 terms because of its different seasons. Higher education includes a broad range of educational institutions and programs leading to certificates, diplomas, and degrees. A student must meet certain amount of points to be admitted to college and universities and after completing such, he must wait for 1 year after getting his degree before he can apply for a Master, Honor, and Ph.D. program. Post graduate program must be completed for a certain period 2 years each program. Like the Philippine education, Africa’s primary and secondary are nearly all schools are government funded.

I realized that, I think it is good for Philippine education to have 1 compulsory skill to be mastered by a student like that of Africa. This is necessary so that children will be trained during younger years. We know that not everybody finishes school at least if as student drop he/she may have something to work on for livelihood. Second realization is that, here in the Philippines, we don’t have Honor Graduate. We only have Mater and Ph.D. Based on my observation a lot of Ph.D. graduates that are not of quality this present time. According to 1 observation is that before when a student finishes Ph.D. the name itself brings impact. I think the standard must be strengthened more.

Bernadette Calvo