“Nowadays, one of the biggest concerns of parents, especially Iranians, is choosing the right educational system for their children. Canada, as one of the most advanced countries in the world in the field of education, has given parents a wide range of options to choose from. Meanwhile, the city of Toronto is also As one of Canada’s largest cities, it has a variety of elementary and high schools, each offering special services based on the individual and environmental needs of students.
“In this article, I want to help fathers, mothers, and students to make the best educational choices for their and their children’s educational future, considering the Canadian education system and the various types of schools in Toronto.”
“If we want to talk about migration and its positive and negative consequences on our children, we must point out some important points. Most of the fathers and mothers who are thinking about migration consider their goal to be the future development of their children. But we must not forget that this progress It is not achieved by the move itself. Rather, the success of the children in this challenging process occurs with the attention and importance of the points that I will mention below.
Immigration and mental stress:
We must not forget that even if moving is very stressful for parents whose personalities are almost completely formed and have chosen this path themselves, it is undoubtedly for children who may not be aware of this process or are not familiar with its realities and themselves. have not chosen this path, it will be very difficult and unacceptable. Therefore, it is better to try to reduce the pressure that is unintentionally imposed on children. To achieve this goal, parents can do the following:
Migration and making children aware of this great transformation:
One of the best ways is to talk to your children. That is, before moving, we should explain the reason for this transformation to them and ask them for their opinion and request that they help us in this way. Ask them to share with us if they have any questions. Try to make these conversations a regular routine so we can review what we’ve done and keep the kids fully informed about the future plan, especially if they’re involved.
Immigration and new language:
The next important thing is to encourage children to learn a new language before moving. We should try to make children familiar with hearing, seeing, and practicing the new language they will encounter in the future. Watching cartoons, movies, and exciting competitions can help them in this way.
Immigration and the need for psychological counseling:
One of the important points that many parents may ignore is to pay attention to psychological aspects and counseling. Sometimes before the move, it is necessary for the children to have several psychological counseling sessions so that they can better face this new and challenging process.
Immigration and study program:
If parents have detailed plans for their children’s education in the new country before immigrating, they can easily advance their children’s educational goals according to their needs and interests. For example, before the move, they can facilitate the entry process of the children by communicating with the institution or school where the children are going to continue their education.
Migration and change in lifestyle:
Awareness and preparation for possible changes in lifestyle and new ways of life are very important for children. Children should not be shocked by the new changes that will come in life. If this awareness is given to them in advance, they will be better able to adjust their expectations to the changes and will have less problems.
Migration and leaving the group of friends in the country of origin:
Parents can assure their children that until new friends find their destination in the country, they can stay in touch with their old friends through WhatsApp groups, Telegram, Instagram, Facebook and other means of communication. Also, having parental permission to make these communications will make things easier.
Children’s observation of the changes in the family’s lifestyle during the migration process:
Children may be affected by changes observed in the family. For example, if they see that the parents are just trying to organize the immigration affairs and are removed from the routine of daily life, they may feel uneasy about immigration.
Education systems in Canada:
Each province and territory in Canada has its own Ministry of Education, which is responsible for developing curricula, educational standards, and assessments.
. Schools in Canada are divided into three levels of elementary schools (Elementary Schools), which include classes from kindergarten to eighth grade and sometimes ninth grade.
2. Secondary schools, which include ninth to twelfth grades, and students receive their high school diploma after completing the twelfth grade.
3. Post-Secondary Institutions, which include colleges, universities, and technical and professional institutions, are divided.
1. **Ontario:**
Education from kindergarten to twelfth grade in
Public, Catholic, French and private schools and post-secondary education at colleges and universities.
2. British Columbia:
Education from kindergarten to twelfth grade
In public schools, independent (private) and local schools.
and post-secondary education in universities, colleges and technical institutes.
. **Quebec:**
– Elementary (6 years) and secondary (5 years) education.
– Two-year college course (CEGEP) before entering the university.
– Technical and professional universities and institutions.
4. Alberta:
Education from kindergarten to twelfth grade
In public, Catholic and independent (private) schools.
and post-secondary education in universities, colleges and technical institutes.
5. **Nova Scotia:**
Education from kindergarten to twelfth grade in
Public and independent (private) schools.
– Universities and colleges.
In Ontario, schools are divided into several types, each with its own characteristics and advantages:
Public Schools
– All students have the right to register.
– Curriculums are provided according to provincial standards.
2. Catholic Schools:
– The government provides the financial budget.
– The basis of education is based on the Catholic religion and the curricula are standard.
3. **French-language schools:**
– Including public and Catholic schools in French.
– The government provides the financial budget.
– Suitable for francophone students and those who want to study in French.
4. **Independent Schools:**
– They are usually known as private schools.
– The government does not provide the financial budget and they receive tuition fees.
– They may offer various curricula based on a certain religious or philosophical basis.
5. **First Nations Schools:**
– managed by indigenous communities.
– Curricula may include indigenous cultural and linguistic elements.
– The federal government or local communities provide financial funding.
6. **Charter Schools:**
– Public schools but with more freedom in curriculum planning.
– The government provides the financial budget
– They have innovative or specialized educational approaches.
Education system in Ontario elementary schools:
1. Length of education:
– Elementary schools include kindergarten classes (Junior Kindergarten) to Grade 8 (Grade 8).
that children usually enter kindergarten from the age of four.
2. Training program:
– Determined by the Ontario Ministry of Education.
– The main subjects include English language, mathematics, science, history, geography, physical education, art and music.
– Teaching French as a second language starts from the fourth grade.
3. Measuring and reporting:
– Assessments are done continuously throughout the academic year.
– Student progress reports are sent to p
arents three times a year.
– Students in the third and sixth grades participate in EQAO (Education Quality and Accountability Office) provincial exams in the fields of mathematics and English.
4. Other programs:
– Support programs for students with special needs.
– ESL (English as a Second Language) training programs for students whose mother tongue is not English.
– Support programs for gifted students.
5. Educational environment:
– Education that leads to helping the social, emotional and physical development of students.
– Updating students using technology and digital resources to support learning.
– Extracurricular activities of students’ inter
ests, such as sports, music and art.
6. Cooperation with parents:
– Encouraging parents to participate in school activities.
– Interaction between parents and teachers to discuss the progress of students.
Maryam Sadeghpour Nashrodkoli
Authentic childhood Education expert
