Literacy rate: 99%

Numbers in tertiary education: 1.22m students

THE EDUCATION SYSTEM

Education is a responsibility of the individual provinces, rather than the federal government, and is accorded a very high priority. The period of free compulsory school attendance varies, but is a minimum of nine years.

The prime medium of instruction is English in all provinces except francophone Québec. In several other provinces, French-speaking students are entitled to be taught in French. Multicultural education also helps maintain the cultural identity of immigrant groups.

Canada has 58 universities and some 200 other higher education institutions. Nearly all high school graduates go on to some form of tertiary or further education, one of the highest proportions in the industrialized world.

From "The Financial Times World Desk Reference" © Dorling Kindersley 2004