Schooling In The Philippines

Basically, the Philippine educational system is divided into elementary, high school and college education. Increasingly, children are also being placed in preschools and college graduates are going into post-graduate studies.

Children are often accepted into first grade at 6-7 years old.

Preschools, therefore, usually accept students from 3-6 years old, classifying them in age-specific levels. The levels vary - some use the terms Toddler Class, Junior Class and Senior Class. Others use the terms Nursery, Kindergarten 1 and Kindergarten 2. Sometimes the Kindergarten level comes before the Nursery level.

There is no hard and fast rule and no set curriculum for preschools. In general, children are expected to recognize and write the alphabet, write their names, do basic counting, recognize colors and color drawings within the lines. Better preschools teach the children how to read and write words and simple sentences and do simple math, as well as acquaint them with the basic science.

Preschool is largely affordable only to the middle class. Others send their children straight to Kindergarten at public schools at the age of 6. That is if they could afford the transportation fare and daily food allowance.

Public school education is free from elementary to high school, but food is not provided. Transportation and school supplies are shouldered by the students, as well. This is beyond the reach of many, and there is always a large number of out-of-school youth.

Elementary school spans seven years, from Kindergarten to Grade Six. Those who passed through preschool usually qualify to go straight to Grade One.

Some private schools have Grade Seven. This is not very common, though.

High school takes four years.

Aside from the many public and private elementary schools and high schools, there are also a number of International Schools following the American Educational System, from the curriculum and grade levels to the schedule of terms. These are quite expensive and cater to children of expatriates as well as the moneyed class.

College courses, in general, also take four years. Some courses may take longer, e.g., Engineering. Law and Medicine require having a four-year bachelor degree before application. Law then takes another four years and then the bar exam, while Medicine takes five more years and the medical board exam.

Nursing is currently the most popular choice not only for college freshmen but also for those seeking a second degree. Many doctors are even taking up Nursing just to qualify for job openings abroad.

Graduate school is sparsely populated. Most graduate students have a career in academe, or are taking MBAs.

A large number of Filipinos also opt to take post-graduate courses abroad.