Education Levels – Meaning and Categories

Formal Education Levels – Meaning, Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary, Post-secondary Non-tertiary, Tertiary, Vocational and Technical Education; Video and Images/Photos. Education Levels Images/Photos: 5. A image of problem solving concept with books representative of education levels. Image credit: Freepik. https://www.freepik.com/free-photo/problem-solving-concept-with-books_34200662.htm#

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Formal Education Levels – Early Childhood, Primary, Secondary, Post-secondary Non-tertiary, Tertiary, Vocational and Technical Education; Video and Images/Photos

Meaning of Education Levels – What are Education Levels?

Education levels (Formal Education Levels) refer to the different stages or tiers of formal education that individuals’ progress through in their academic journey.

Different Formal Education Levels

There are 6 different education levels. These levels are typically structured hierarchically and serve as a framework for categorizing the educational attainment and qualifications of individuals. The specific names and organization of these levels can vary from one country to another, but they often include the following:

1. Early Childhood Education (ECE)

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Early Childhood Education in Infant School (UK)/Preschool (Nursery)/Kindergarten. Early Childhood Education – Kindergarten Images/Photos: 1. A photo of a kindergarten clown animator holiday. Image by tolmacho from Pixabay

Early Childhood Education in Infant School (UK)/Preschool (Nursery)/Kindergarten: This is usually the first formal educational experience for young children, typically between ages 3 and 5. It focuses on social and basic cognitive development. In many other areas, an infant is considered to be a children anywhere from birth to 1 year old. It could also be the period of life between birth and the acquisition of language approximately one to two years later.

Categories – There are two categories, if you like, types of Early Childhood Education. They are Early childhood Educational Development and Early Childhood Pre-primary Education

Early childhood Educational Development Education

Early childhood Educational Development: Early childhood Educational Development is designed to support early development in preparation for participation in school and society. Programmes designed for children below the age of 3.

Early Childhood Pre-primary Education

Early Childhood Pre-primary Education: Early Childhood Pre-primary Education is designed to support early development in preparation for participation in school and society. Programmes designed for children from age 3 to the start of primary education.

2. Primary Education

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Primary Education in Elementary School/Grade School/Primary School. Primary School Education Images/Photos: 2. A photo of a group of four schoolboys, who were gathered at a brown paper-covered table, studying a stylized cartoon book to be used as reference material, for a drawing they were asked to create in the classroom in a metropolitan Atlanta, Georgia primary school. Photo by CDC on Unsplash

Primary Education in Elementary School/Grade School/Primary School: This is the first stage of compulsory education, often lasting six to eight years. While the primary education is basically of elementary or grade or primary school, other schools considered in primary education are comprehensive school, junior school, middle school (partly) and preparatory school (as in UK).

Programmes typically designed to provide students with fundamental skills in reading, writing and mathematics and to establish a solid foundation for learning. That is, students learn fundamental subjects like math, science, language, and social studies.

3. Secondary Education

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Lower Secondary Education in Middle School. Secondary School Education Images/Photos: 3. A photo of a group of lower secondary school students excited about what they are learning from using their laptops. Photo by Max Fischer

Lower Secondary Education in Middle School

Lower Secondary Education in Middle School: First stage of secondary education building on primary education, typically with a more subject-oriented curriculum. In some countries, students transition to middle school after primary education, typically between the ages of 11 and 14.

Upper Secondary Education in High School/Secondary School

Upper Secondary Education in High School/Secondary School: Secondary education usually covers the ages of 14 to 18 and includes more specialized and in-depth subjects. Second/final stage of secondary education preparing for tertiary education or providing skills relevant to employment. Usually with an increased range of subject options and streams.

Other common forms of secondary schools outside Middle School and High School are Academy (English School), Collegiate Institute, Comprehensive School, Minor Seminary, Staff College, University Technical College, University Preparatory School and Upper School

4. Post-secondary Non-tertiary Education

Programmes providing learning experiences that build on secondary education and prepare for labour market entry or tertiary education. The content is broader than secondary but not as complex as tertiary education. It typically targets students who have completed upper secondary education

ISCED level 3, but who want to increase their opportunities either to enter the labour market or progress to tertiary education. Programmes are often not significantly more advanced than those at upper secondary education as they typically serve to broaden – rather than deepen – knowledge, skills and competencies. It therefore aims at learning below the high level of complexity characteristic of tertiary education. A typical example of post-secondary non-tertiary education is the supplementary post-secondary education as a preparation for entry into tertiary education.

Non-tertiary education can take place in a high school or colleges

5. Tertiary Education

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Tertiary Education Images/Photos: 4. A photo of a group of university students learning with an electronic whiteboard in a classroom.Photo by Kenny Eliason on Unsplash

Categories – Categories of tertiary education are Short-cycle Tertiary Education, Undergraduate Education and Post Graduate Education

Short-cycle Tertiary Education

Short-cycle Tertiary Education: Short-cycle tertiary education programmes that are typically practically-based, occupationally-specific and prepare for labour market entry. These programmes may also provide a pathway to other tertiary programmes. Programmes classified at ISCED level 5 may be referred to in many ways, for example: higher technical education, community college education, technician or advanced/higher vocational training, associate degree, bac+2.

Undergraduate Education

Undergraduate Education: This level includes bachelor’s degree programs, and it typically takes three to four years to complete. Programmes in Bachelor’s are designed to provide intermediate academic or professional knowledge, skills and competencies leading to a first tertiary degree or equivalent qualification.

Postgraduate Education

Postgraduate Education: Postgraduate education includes master’s and doctoral programs, providing advanced and specialized knowledge in a particular field. Programmes in Master’s are designed to provide advanced academic or professional knowledge, skills and competencies leading to a second tertiary degree or equivalent qualification and programmes in doctorate are designed primarily to lead to an advanced research qualification, usually concluding with the submission and defense of a substantive dissertation of publishable quality based on original research.

Common places where tertiary education can take place include Academy, College, Graduate, University, Seminary, Nizamiyyah, Madrasah, Jamiah, Gurukula, Technical School, University College, Yeshiva

6. Vocational and Technical Education:

These programs focus on practical skills and are often designed to prepare individuals for specific careers or trades. They can be pursued after secondary education or as part of tertiary education, like in a Vocational university

Formal Education Levels Videos and Images/Photos 1 and 2

Conclusion

The formal education levels are Early Childhood Education, Primary Education, Secondary Education, Post-secondary Non-tertiary Education, Tertiary Education and Vocational and Technical Education

These education levels are used to classify the academic qualifications and achievements of individuals, making it easier for employers, institutions, and governments to understand a person’s educational background and skills. Educational systems and terminology can vary by country and region, so it’s essential to consider local educational structures when discussing education levels.

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