Education in Jamaica starts at the tender age of 2
years old for most. It is said that the foundation of education system
lies within early childhood which some call Basic or Infant School. This
theory is sometimes argued but I'll go in-dept a next time. Most
schools accept children from between ages three years to three years and
six months. Others may take them as young as 2 years old. Children at
Basic or Infant school age usually attend from age 3 – 5 years. Some Day
Care Centers, in addition to giving child care, they also offer limited
childhood education which prepares them for Basic or Infant School.
Next we have Primary education which prepares children for Secondary
Education and starts at Grade 1 for 6 year olds, to Grade 6 for 12 or 13
year old now although over a decade ago 11 year old children where
graduating primary schools once they pass their common entrance exams.
Next there is high school - Students are exposed to a lot more subjects in Secondary education in Jamaica.
For
most students, this is where they are introduced, for the first time to
a foreign language. But Secondary education is the stepping stone and
the foundation to students’ future career and further education. By the
time students reach the fourth form or 10th grade they are already
planning college majors, career goals etc
