Citizenship and Immigration Canada
www.cic.gc.ca
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Welcome to Canada: What you should know
Education
Children between the ages of 6 and 16 must attend school, and most of them go to public schools. Classes usually start in early September and end in late June. There is a two-week vacation in December and a one-week vacation in either February or March. Children attend school Monday to Friday, for about six hours a day. They usually bring their lunch with them.
Public schools and separate (Catholic) schools in some provinces are paid for through your taxes. There are also private schools, but these can be expensive. Even if you choose to send your children to private schools, your taxes will continue to support the public system.
Finding schools
The best way to find out which schools your children should attend is by calling the school boards in your area. These are listed under “Schools” in the yellow pages of your telephone book. This choice is usually based on where you live and which system you prefer. There are English and French school systems, as well as immersion programs.
Many schools are not within walking distance, and children often take school buses (provided by the school at minimal or no cost to you) or public transportation to get there. This is something to consider when choosing either a school or a place to live.
Enrolling your children
When you enrol your children, take their birth certificates or other identity documents to the school. If the originals of the documents are in languages other than English or French, you should have them translated into English or French. Also bring their Confirmation of Permanent Residence form (IMM 5292) or their permanent resident card, passport and any former school and health records. You could also be asked for immunization records.
Adult education
Learning is a lifelong activity in Canada, and many Canadians continue to study as adults. Adult education is not free. Student loans are available through financial institutions, the Government of Canada, and provincial and territorial governments. Applications are available at most post-secondary institutions. You may wish to train for a new job, or to improve the skills you already have. You may also wish to apprentice for a trade. The qualifications for many trades are different from province to province, and you must obtain a licence before you can practise. Remember that some Canadian schools will not give credit for a course or diploma obtained outside Canada.
If you want information on continuing education, contact the school board, college or university in your community. Look these up in the yellow pages of the telephone book under “Schools,” “Colleges” and “Universities.” You can also get a list of the educational institutions in your area from an immigrant-serving organization.
You might also want to look up professional or trade associations in the province where you live for information on qualifications.
For more information
Other sources of information:
- Provincial departments of education
- School boards
- Universities and community colleges
- Professional or trade associations
- Immigrant-serving organizations