FAQ · Education 39

An Employsome guide updated on 5 June 2026 says the Americas straddle both hemispheres, so the long school break does not fall in the same months everywhere. The United States, Mexico and Canada take that break in the middle of the year, with the United States summer typically running from late May or June to August or early September for about ten to eleven weeks and set by roughly 13,000 districts rather than one national date. Canada's 2026 break is typically late June to early September for about nine weeks and is set by province and school board, while Mexico's national calendar runs from mid-July to late August for about six to seven weeks. Colombia and Venezuela follow a northern-hemisphere calendar with a mid-year break, while Brazil, Argentina and Peru take their long southern-hemisphere summer over December and into the new year. In the windows listed for 2026, Brazil's main break runs from December 2025 to early February, Argentina's from mid-December 2025 to early March, and Peru's from late December 2025 through the end of February, with the Peruvian school year running from March to December. The same guide says Mexico, Brazil, Argentina, Colombia, Peru and Venezuela write a year-end or holiday bonus into national law, while the United States and Canada have no statutory holiday or 13th-month bonus.

FAO, ABC/MRE and FNDE/MEC published a 2025 technical study in Brasilia that presents a case study of school feeding programmes in 16 Latin American countries. The stated aim is to give an overview of progress in carrying out those programmes, looking at the components treated as essential to their sustainability. The study used qualitative methods, including interviews and focus groups. It identifies structures, regulatory frameworks and actions that support how the programmes work, drawing on interviews with key actors, secondary sources and official documents. The findings are organized around the Sustainable Schools components and implementation experience, covering inter-institutional coordination, social participation, food and nutrition education, healthy menus, and public purchasing from family farming. FAO and the Government of Brazil offer the study, through the Brazil-FAO International Cooperation Programme and the Sustainable School Feeding Network, as a way to support the exchange of school feeding experience among countries.

An Employsome guide updated on 5 June 2026 does not give one common month for the school year in the Americas, because the long break falls in different seasons. Peru's school year runs from March to December, so the long break listed for 2026 is late December through the end of February. Venezuela's school year runs from September to July, with the long break from mid-July to mid-September. In the northern group, Mexico's national calendar puts the 2026 break from mid-July to late August, while Canada's provincially set break runs from late June to early September and the United States break, set by roughly 13,000 districts, typically ends in August or early September. Brazil's schools are described as breaking from mid-December through early February, and Argentina's long break in the same guide runs from mid-December 2025 to early March. Colombia's listed 2026 pause is a mid-year break from mid-June to mid-July under Calendar A, and the guide says Calendar B differs, so that pause is not presented as the opening of the school year.

A Korea JoongAng Daily report published on 8 June 2026 says the Korea Foundation is launching live online Korean Studies courses across five Latin American countries, and that those courses will count toward students' regular academic credits. The consortium has six universities: the Central University of Chile, the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru, the National University of La Plata in Argentina, Simon Bolivar Andean University in Ecuador, and, in Colombia, the National University of Colombia and the Metropolitan Technological Institute. The program was set to open with a ceremony at the Central University of Chile on 12 August. Six courses are planned, on Korean democracy, economic policy and industrial innovation, Korean history and contemporary society, Korean literature and translation, global cultural exchange, and sociocultural views of Korea. The foundation describes the consortium as a platform for university cooperation in the Global South, including Latin America, aimed at public diplomacy and a wider base for Korean Studies. Foundation president Song Gui-do linked the effort to younger Latin Americans' interest in Korea, citing large gatherings in Mexico City's Zocalo around BTS events, and said the foundation wants that interest to grow into Korean Studies teaching and research at local universities.

The educational system is based on the French system. Higher education is provided by universities and other public and private institutions under the responsibility of the Ministry of Education. More than 80% of primary schools are privately managed by churches, communities, nongovernmental organizations, and for-profit operators with minimal government oversight. Students may continue into higher education after they successfully graduate from secondary school. Higher education options include the University of Haiti, as well as various medical and law schools.

In Suriname, education is compulsory until a student reaches the age of 12. The school system consists of 13 grades in total from elementary through high school. Elementary school includes six grades, while middle school consists of four grades. High school then provides an additional three grades of study. Students must take a test at the end of elementary school to decide their next path.

In Latin America, preschool age children are typically between 4 and 5 years old. Primary school age children are generally between 6 and 12 years old. Adolescents between the ages of 13 and 17 represent the group transitioning toward secondary education. Tertiary education coverage involves people between the ages of 18 and 25. While educational coverage has increased, many children and youth still remain outside the formal education system. These trends vary significantly depending on whether populations are rural, poor, or indigenous.

The school system is divided into maintained, aided, and private sectors. Maintained schools have property belonging to the Government and are fully funded by public money. Aided schools have property held by trustees or a board and receive partial public funding or grants. Private schools are not maintained by public funds and have not received capital grants since the desegregation of schools in 1965. The private sector also includes several registered home schools that receive minimal government regulation.

Ethical controversies involving Supreme Court justices have increased during the 21st century. A 2023 report from ProPublica claimed that Justice Clarence Thomas accepted various undisclosed gifts from Harlan Crow. These gifts included luxury trips and tuition payments for the private schooling of Thomas's grandnephew. This situation added to a scandal involving Crow's ties to institutions and cases before the court. The court eventually adopted its first code of conduct on November 13, 2023.

The U.S. Army School of the Americas provided various types of training to foreign military personnel under the Mutual Assistance Program. It offered intelligence and counter-intelligence training as well as courses in counterinsurgency. The school also taught technical skills applicable to civic action programs to emphasize nation building and economic growth. Additionally, the institution provided training in jungle warfare through specialized courses. By its closure in 2000, it had graduated many officials from the United States and 22 Latin American countries.

In the United States, English is the primary medium of instruction at almost all schools and levels. Exceptions include specific language classes like French or German, or general education in Puerto Rico where Spanish is standard. In American Samoa, English is used for instruction even though most students speak Samoan natively. There are also hundreds of immersion and dual-language schools that teach in various languages such as Spanish, Hawaiian, Chamorro, French, and Mandarin Chinese. Even in these specialized schools, English remains a mandatory class.

In Peru, education is managed by the Ministry of Education, which oversees national policy. Public universities offer free education to students who meet certain requirements. To qualify for this, students must demonstrate satisfactory academic performance and pass admission exams. Some of the top universities in the country include the Pontifical Catholic University of Peru and Universidad Católica San Pablo. Many schools throughout the nation are private and religious in nature.

Universities in the Americas were implants from the European university tradition rather than being invented locally. These institutions were established by the Spanish Empire between 1492 and the early 19th century to meet the demand for skilled administrators and to support Christian missions. To be founded, a university required a royal privilege or a papal bull to grant the right to confer academic degrees. Most of these institutions modeled their charters after the University of Salamanca. While many were located in centers like Santo Domingo, Lima, and Mexico City, they were generally subject to the king's supervision.

Since 24 June 2004, Irish citizenship has been granted to certain individuals born on the island of Ireland. This applies to those who have one or both parents who are Irish or British citizens. It also applies to those who were entitled to live in Ireland without residency restrictions. However, legal residence on the island of Ireland for the three years before birth excludes time spent on a student visa. This specific period of residence must be documented according to the established legal criteria.

In Malaysia, which is a federation of thirteen states, certain benefits are provided to residents. These states offer specific benefits such as baby bonuses, education loans, and scholarships. These benefits are available to children born in the state or born to parents who were born in the state. Additionally, these benefits may be extended to those residing in the state. This information is specific to the Malaysian state system.

Efforts are currently continuing to improve labor mobility and the recognition of academic qualifications within the region. Mercosur includes Argentina, Brazil, Paraguay, and Uruguay, with Bolivia in the process of accession. Citizens of these countries also benefit from free movement, residence, and work rights. Additionally, citizens from associated states like Chile, Colombia, Ecuador, and Peru can travel the region using only a national identity card. These ongoing efforts aim to facilitate better integration for residents moving between member states.

Students attending vocational and technical schools may use the M-1 visa. Those in M-1 status are not permitted to work on or off campus while they are studying. Additionally, these students are not allowed to change their status to F-1. The M-2 visa is available for the spouse and minor children of an M-1 student to accompany them to the United States. This ensures that families can stay together during the period of vocational study.

The Maya writing system was a highly sophisticated achievement among the many systems developed in Mesoamerica. Early inscriptions date back to the Peten Basin between 300 and 200 BC. While many texts were destroyed by colonial officials and the Catholic Church, four pre-Columbian books known as codices have been preserved. Most surviving Maya writing is found on stone inscriptions, ceramics, or stucco facades. Unfortunately, much of the original organic material has decayed over time. Consequently, our current knowledge represents only a tiny fraction of their total recorded learning.

The Bermuda Public School System includes a variety of educational institutions for different age groups. Within this system, there are 10 preschools available for young learners. The system also consists of 18 primary schools and 5 middle schools. Additionally, there are 2 senior schools and specialized schools for students with physical, cognitive, or behavioural challenges. This structure ensures various levels of education are provided through public funding.

Yes, some professions require licenses due to laws governing entry into specific trades or occupations. These requirements may exist to ensure professional standards or to raise revenue for local governments. Examples of professions that require special licenses include law and medicine. Other licensed roles include piloting aircraft, radio broadcasting, and selling investment securities. Additionally, licenses may be needed for selling liquor, selling used cars, or roofing.

The arrival of the Spanish led to the destruction of preexisting Mesoamerican books and libraries. Only 15 codices survived after 1521, though new bilingual and indigenous-language codices continued to be produced. Because Spanish literacy was not widespread, most printed items were kept in university libraries or private collections of officials and clergy. The oldest public library in the Americas, Biblioteca Palafoxiana, was established in 1646 in Puebla. Later, the intellectual Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz used a 4,000-volume private library to further her education. However, she was eventually banned from writing and her library in 1691.

The M-1 visa is a specific type of student visa reserved for those attending vocational and technical schools. Students holding M-1 status are not permitted to work either on or off campus during their studies. Additionally, they are not allowed to change their status to an F-1 visa. The M-2 visa is available for the spouse and minor children of an M-1 student to accompany them to the United States. This ensures that families can stay together while the student pursues vocational training.

Healthcare costs vary depending on the specific system and insurance coverage. In some regions, the government provides healthcare to those not covered by mandatory regimes through general taxation. Certain plans may require a referring doctor for full reimbursement of specialist visits and include mandatory co-pays for doctor visits, medicine, or hospital stays. In the US, premiums are calculated based on factors like age, location, and tobacco use. Additionally, individuals may have to pay a deductible, which is an out-of-pocket amount required before an insurer pays their share.

According to the American Community Survey from 2020, Korean is one of the languages spoken at home by one million people or more. Specifically, approximately 1.07 million people in the United States speak Korean at home. This makes it one of the significant languages spoken within the country alongside others like Spanish, Chinese, and Tagalog. While English is the most common language, many diverse languages are spoken across the nation.

The vastness and variety of Canada's climates, ecology, and landform separations have defined ancient peoples into cultural or linguistic divisions. Language plays a significant role by contributing to the identity of a people. It influences both social life ways and spiritual practices. These linguistic divisions are tied to the distinct forest regions and coastlines found throughout the country. Understanding these connections helps explain the diverse cultural landscape of the region.

Technological research in Brazil is primarily conducted within research institutes and public universities. Most funding for basic research is provided by various government agencies. The country boasts esteemed hubs such as the Oswaldo Cruz Institute and the National Institute for Space Research. Brazil also maintains the most developed space program in Latin America and is the only Southern Hemisphere country involved in the International Space Station. Additionally, the nation is a major aircraft producer and a pioneer in deep water oil extraction.

School meal programs are employed to expand access to education across the region. At least 23 countries in the Latin America and Caribbean region have implemented large-scale school feeding activities. These programs collectively reach 88% of primary school-age children in the region. Such initiatives serve as a tool to support educational coverage. This approach helps address the needs of students within the various educational systems.

Transport on the island is relatively convenient with three bus systems running seven days a week. These include ZRs, which are small route taxis that travel to most points on the island. There are also yellow minibuses and the blue Transport Board buses available for passengers. A ride on any of these options costs Bds$ 3.5. While ZRs and minibuses can give change, the larger blue government buses provide receipts instead.

As of 2013, the state of Alaska did not have a medical school. This lack of advanced professional training is part of a larger issue regarding brain drain in the region. Many high academic achievers leave the state after high school graduation and do not return. To combat this, the University of Alaska offers partial four-year scholarships to the top 10% of high school graduates through the Alaska Scholars Program. While there are no medical schools, there are training programs in nursing offered at AVTEC campuses.

A released list of 60,000 graduates in 1993 confirmed that dictators, death squad operatives, and assassins had been educated at the SOA. In response, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II introduced bills to cut funding and close the school. Legislative actions eventually required reports on how the school's programs contribute to human rights and respect for civilian authority. The House Appropriations Committee also urged the Department of Defense to incorporate human rights training into the regular curriculum. Additionally, they recommended employing stringent screening processes for potential students to ensure they had not carried out past human rights abuses.

Before Europeans arrived and settled in the New World, nothing resembling a university existed in the Americas. The educational history of the continents changed when the European university model was transferred to the overseas colonies. These institutions were not invented from scratch but were implants from the European university tradition. The Spanish colonists realized the need for local university education to support the Christian mission and the demand for skilled administrators. By the end of the eighteenth century, numerous universities were established across North, Central, and South America.

During the early twentieth century, several institutions provided specialized training for Native artists. From 1906 to 1915, Angel De Cora served as the director of the Native American art program at the Carlisle Indian School. This same school also built a state-of-the-art photography school and offered photography classes to its Native students. Additionally, the Denver Art Museum founded its Native Arts department in 1925. These programs helped support various artistic traditions across the Americas.

Pedro de Gante was a Flemish Franciscan missionary who became known as the first teacher of the Americas. He arrived in New Spain in 1523 to spread the Christian faith and promote educational discourse among indigenous communities. De Gante established schools throughout Mexico to educate the youth and taught children how to read and write. He also taught adults various trades such as ceramics and carpentry. His successful approach included learning native languages to better communicate with the people.

In 1980, the Sandinista government launched an extensive and successful literacy campaign. This program utilized secondary school students, university students, and teachers as volunteer teachers. Within only five months, the overall illiteracy rate was reduced from 50.3% to 12.9%. This large-scale initiative received international recognition for its significant gains. In September 1980, UNESCO awarded Nicaragua the Nadezhda Krupskaya award for this campaign.

Common contemporary vaccination policies in the United States require that children receive recommended vaccinations before entering public school. These policies are designed to eliminate the risk of outbreaks of certain diseases. Many modern vaccination policies allow for exemptions in specific cases. These exemptions may be granted to people with compromised immune systems or allergies to vaccine components. Additionally, exemptions may be available for those with strongly held objections.

In 1993, a list of graduates confirmed that individuals such as dictators and assassins had been educated at the school. Following this, Representative Joseph P. Kennedy II introduced bills to cut funding and close the institution. Legislative actions eventually required reports on how the school promotes human rights and respect for civilian authority. The House Appropriations Committee also urged the Department of Defense to include human rights training in the regular curriculum. Additionally, they recommended using stringent screening processes for potential students to prevent those with past abuses from enrolling.

A controversy arose following a 2023 ProPublica report involving Supreme Court Justice Clarence Thomas. The report claimed that real-estate investor Harlan Crow provided gifts that included tuition payments for the private schooling of Thomas's grandnephew. These gifts were reportedly provided without disclosure over the course of two decades. This situation contributed to increasing ethical controversies among Supreme Court justices. Such issues have accompanied a decline in the Court's approval rating to historic lows.

Students in Alaska can attend various accredited universities such as the University of Alaska Anchorage, Fairbanks, and Southeast, or Alaska Pacific University. For healthcare, private insurance is largely provided by CVS Health and Premera. Premera and Moda Health also offer insurance through the federally-run Affordable Care Exchange. Medical facilities include the Providence Alaska Medical Center in Anchorage and several local hospitals in Fairbanks and Juneau. Additionally, the Southeast Alaska Regional Health Consortium operates facilities across 27 communities.

The school originally taught some courses in Spanish to accommodate requests from Latin American countries. By 1956, English was eliminated as an instructional language and the school adopted Spanish as its official language. This change meant that the majority of U.S. personnel trained between 1956 and 1964 were Puerto Rican. The school also established a Spanish Translation Review Board in 1955 to review military manuals. This board helped correct grammatical errors and standardize military terms used in Spanish-language curricula.