What is a Student?
A student is a person enrolled in an educational institution. But what exactly does that mean? Is it just about sitting in classrooms and studying books, or is there more to it than meets the eye?
The Global Landscape of Education
In the UK and Commonwealth countries, primary students are often referred to as pupils, while those in secondary school or higher are called students. But how does this vary across different continents? Let’s take a journey through some fascinating educational systems around the world.
Africa: Nigeria and South Africa
In Nigeria, the 6-3-3-4 system classifies education into six years of primary school, three years of junior secondary, three years of senior secondary, and four years of university. Students in Nigeria are referred to as ‘students’, but the duration can vary depending on their course.
In South Africa, learners progress through Primary, Junior, and High schools before pursuing further studies for 3-4 years at an undergraduate level or 1-2 years for a vocational diploma. The journey is long and varied!
Asia: Singapore and Bangladesh
In Singapore, students attend Secondary School from Sec 1 to 5, while Express students take it from Sec 1 to 4. Junior College and Polytechnic programs offer optional two-year courses. Primary education in Bangladesh is compulsory but not sending children to school at the right age isn’t punishable.
Brunei: A Land of Opportunities
In Brunei, education is free and leads to higher qualifications such as a bachelor’s degree. The stages include Primary School (Years 1-6), Secondary School (Years 7-11), High School (Years 12-13), Colleges, and University Level.
Education in Cambodia
In Cambodia, education is free for primary, secondary, and high school students. The journey to higher learning is supported by the government, ensuring that every child has a chance at an education.
India: A Land of Diverse Education Systems
In India, school categories include Pre-primary, Primary (Classes 1-5), Secondary (Classes 6-10), and Higher Secondary (Classes 11-12). Undergraduate degrees typically last three years except for certain courses which may be longer. Engineering, pharmacy, agriculture, and medicine programs vary in duration.
Nepal: Two Stages of Education
In Nepal, the education system is categorized into two stages: Primary school (Grades 1-8) and Higher Secondary school (Grades 9-12). The journey to higher learning is structured but flexible.
Pakistan: A Five-Year Journey
In Pakistan, education is categorized into three stages: Primary school, Secondary school, and Higher Secondary school. It takes five years to graduate from each stage. Most bachelor’s degrees span over four years, followed by a two-year master’s degree.
The Philippines: A Four-Year Path
In the Philippines, education ideally begins with one year of kinder and elementary school comprises grades 1 to 6. Secondary level consists of junior high (grades 7-10) and senior high (grades 11-12). After basic education, students can opt for a bachelor’s degree at a higher education institution, lasting four years.
Iran: A 12-Year School System
In Iran, the 12-year school system is divided into two stages: Elementary school (six years) and High school (six years), with junior and senior high schools. Students choose between six fields after graduating from high school and participate in the Iranian University Entrance Exam to attend university.
Europe: A Continent of Diverse Education Systems
In Finland, education consists of compulsory preschool followed by traditional grade system up to age eleven, with students called ‘opiskelija’ or ‘oppilas’. After compulsory education most children attend second-level education such as lukio or ammattioppilaitos. Some attend kymppiluokka for a retake on some yläkoulu’s education.
To attend university, a student must have a second-level education and graduate in five years. In France, ‘étudiant’ applies to those attending a university or similar school, with students owning a Baccalauréat using the general term ‘élève’. Some schools use specific terms for first-year students such as ‘bleu’ or ‘bizuth’.
In Germany, university students are called Student (male) or Studentin (female), while primary school students are Schüler or Schülerin. Students in Gymnasium are Gymnasiasten, while others are Hauptschüler or Realschüler.
The United Kingdom: A Distinctive Term
In the UK, the term ‘student’ is typically reserved for people studying at university level. New students are often informally referred to as ‘fresher,’ although this term can be misleading. The Scottish University of St Andrews uses specific terms such as ‘bejant’ for first years and ‘magistrands’ for fourth years.
England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland: A Complex System
In England, Wales, Northern Ireland, and Scotland, primary school typically starts with a nursery year or reception class, followed by primary school. Secondary school begins at age 11-12, and pupils join the sixth form after completing Year 11. Some schools use derogatory terms for first years, while others prefer descriptive terms like ‘shells’ or ‘grubs.’ They then continue primary school until ‘P7’ or year 7. After that they start secondary school at 11 years old, this is called ‘1st year’ or year 8 in Northern Ireland, or ‘S1’ in Scotland. They continue secondary school until the age of 16 at ‘5th year’, year 12 or ‘S5,’ and then it is the choice of the individual pupil to decide to continue in school and (in Northern Ireland) do AS levels (known as ‘lower sixth’) and then the next year to do A levels (known as ‘upper sixth’). In Scotland, students aged 16–18 take Highers, followed by Advanced Highers. Alternatively, pupils can leave and go into full-time employment or to start in a technical college.
Education in Canada
In Canada, education is primarily within the constitutional jurisdiction of the provinces. Primary and secondary education are generally divided into annual grades from 1 to 12, although grade 1 may be preceded by one or two years of kindergarten. Education in Ontario from 1988 involved an Ontario Academic Credit (OAC) after grade 12 primarily as university preparation. The OAC was informally known as ‘grade 13.’ All provinces and territories except Quebec now have 12 grades.
Education in Quebec differs from the other jurisdictions in that it has an école primaire consisting of grades 1–6 and an école secondaire consisting of secondaries I–V, equivalent to grades 7–11. A student graduating from école secondaire then either completes a three-year college program or a two-year pre-university program required before attending university.
In some provinces, grades are divided into elementary school (Kindergarten to grade 7), middle school (grades 6-8) and high school (grades 9-12). In other provinces, such as British Columbia, schooling is divided into elementary school (Kindergarten to grade 7) and secondary school (grades 8 through 12).
In Canadian English, the term ‘college’ usually refers to a technical, trades, applied arts, or applied technology school. These are post-secondary institutions typically granting two-year diplomas certificates, diplomas, associate degrees, and bachelor’s degrees. CEGEP: a collegiate level institution in Quebec for trade or applied disciplines leading to university entrance. In Canada, universities are geared towards academic careers while colleges focus on applied careers. The US system uses freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior year classifications.
US Education: A 12-Year Journey
In the United States, a student’s journey is divided into 12 years of mandatory schooling, with kindergarten (1st grade) followed by elementary school. Middle school is then referred to as grades 6-8. High school is divided into freshman, sophomore, junior, and senior years.
Graduate Students
A graduate student is a student who continues his/her education after graduation. Examples of graduate programs include business school, law school, medical school, and veterinary school. Degrees earned in graduate programs include the master’s degree, a research doctoral degree, or a first professional degree.
Vocational School
Students attending vocational school focus on their jobs and learning how to work in specific fields of work. A vocational program typically takes much less time to complete than a four-year degree program, lasting 12–24 months.
Student Politics and Activism
Students have their own current of politics and activism on and off campus. The student rights movement has centered itself on the empowerment of students similar to the labor movement. Universities are not just places for learning but also for social change, where students can voice their opinions and fight for what they believe in.
Mature Students
There’s a growing trend of mature students returning to education later in life. These individuals bring a wealth of experience and perspective to the classroom, enriching the learning environment for everyone involved.
Student Pranks: A Time-Honored Tradition
University students have been associated with pranks and japes since the creation of universities in the Middle Ages. These can often involve petty crime, such as the theft of traffic cones and other public property, or hoaxes. It is also not uncommon for students from one school to steal or deface the mascot of a rival school.
Pranks play such a significant part in student culture that numerous books have been published that focus on the issue. These pranks are often seen as a rite of passage, marking the transition from innocence to experience.
Other Terms
The term ‘pupil’ (originally a Latin term for a minor as the ward of an adult guardian, etc.) is used in some Commonwealth primary and secondary schools (particularly in England and Wales) instead of ‘student,’ but once attending further education (at a sixth-form college) or higher education (at university for example), the term ‘student’ is standard.
The term pupil is also used in the Philippines by the Department of Education to refer to learners currently in elementary school; the term student is used for by the Department of Education for learners in high school.
Conclusion
In conclusion, a student’s journey is as varied and complex as the world itself. From the bustling streets of Tokyo to the serene halls of St Andrews, each educational system has its unique flavor and challenges. Whether you’re a first-year college student or a mature adult returning to education, your path is filled with opportunities for growth and discovery. So, embrace every moment, every challenge, and every opportunity that comes your way. After all, being a student is not just about learning; it’s about living life to the fullest.
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This page is based on the article Student published in Wikipedia (retrieved on January 31, 2025) and was automatically summarized using artificial intelligence.