Canada - pros / cons for daughter's education

[Nick M]

A bit of scene-setting: currently living in Malaysia on a 2 year assignment out of the UK, but returning there in August 2013. Our current plans are to be in the UK for a year or so before aiming to get a transfer to Canada on a long-term / permanent basis.

We're planning a trip to Canada in August this year for about 3 weeks to check the place out in a bit more detail, but while we can generally get the feel for the obvious things like property rental, utilities, grocery shopping, etc., etc., the one area which remains a significant 'unknown' is the effect on our daughter's education (she's 13 in 2 months time).

It's not so much about the general system of education in Canada, more about the overall 'philosophy' which is followed. For example, admittedly using an extreme, the UK went through a phase of encouraging non-competitive sports, i.e. it was the taking part not the winning which was important. Similarly there can be a tendency to head towards the lowest common denominator when teaching large classes, such that brighter students can suffer or don't get the extra encouragement or stimulation they might need.

Now, I'm not saying our daughter is in that category, but she's certainly not daft. I'm perfectly OK with her being good at some things and average at others - we all have our strengths and weaknesses - but I'm interested to find out what the general view is regarding education in Canada and whether it prepares kids for the future rather more than the UK system.

We're likely to be looking at Toronto for starters, then NS (possibly Halifax, maybe more coastal areas) about the time she'd be going to college.

I appreciate this may seem like a bit of a vague question, but we're trying to think of all the long-term impacts which need to be considered if the move is going to be successful (or even whether it goes ahead at all).

Thanks for any comments / guidance.

[belleair302]

There are some very good private schools across Canada, many with links back to 'sister' schools within the UK and a curriculum to match. The Canadians take their education more seriously than they do in the US , but the 'work ethos' is not the same. I have no experience of Canadian universities but have a couple of friends who passed through private schools in Ontario back in the late 1980's and have children doing the same today.

[RDMcG]

There are outstanding private day schools in the Toronto area tbough not cheap (check out Branksome Hall for instance). Public education is ok also but is dependent on where you live as they will place in the schoold district of residence. This is a factor in house pricing.
Quebec is unique as all education in the case of immigrants must be in French.
The university system and also technical education is first class with a fair amount of choice and relatively inexpensive if you are here permanently.

[Nick M]

Thanks both, especially for the comments about university education. Certainly given us something extra to think about when we're looking at locations, etc. Not so different from the UK really in terms of the school catchment area having an influence on housing, etc.

I think, given budgets, etc., we would have focus our attention on funding her university education - I was expecting that to be a reasonably large financial 'hit' in a few years time.

[RDMcG]

Nick M said:

Thanks both, especially for the comments about university education. Certainly given us something extra to think about when we're looking at locations, etc. Not so different from the UK really in terms of the school catchment area having an influence on housing, etc.

I think, given budgets, etc., we would have focus our attention on funding her university education - I was expecting that to be a reasonably large financial 'hit' in a few years time.

If you immigrate there is a huge difference in the cost of university education...very very rough guess is about $6000 a year vs more like $30,000 p.a. for non -residents. A, not standing by the numbers specifically but there is a huge difference. Since your daugther is only 13 the issue is a long term one, but thought I would mention it.

[Nick M]

Thanks, and that's quite the difference !!

Not rushing at anything, but current thinking is long term, i.e. permanent residence. Just need to sort out what may be feasible through work, or whether it will be a 'clean sheet of paper' approach.

Lots of homework to do still, but appreciate the insights