We explain what an educational system is and its relationship with the way of thinking about education. In addition, the Latin American educational system.
What is an educational system?
An educational system is the organized and structured set of educational institutions in a country, as well as the organizations that design, regulate and implement the educational policies of the same. In general, the term is used to refer to the particular way of understanding and applying the educational process in a country or a region, and comparisons are often made between systems and between different models.
Educational systems are an inherent part of the country model that is being carried out, since they organize the access of future generations to knowledge and knowledge. But a good educational system it is usually measured by its results in the medium and long termTherefore, it is not easy to design and implement one, but it must be done in view of national and social needs.
In Latin America, for example, the educational system of each country began to take shape shortly after the conquest of national independence, in the 19th century, when the Spanish colonial model of society completely collapsed and the young nations had to take control of it. control your future.
These educational systems were born strongly influenced by the enlightened tradition of the 18th century, and were thought keeping in mind that educating would be one of the great and fundamental functions of the State (the so-called “teaching State”).
In general, the Latin American educational system divides the educational process into several stages:
- Preschool education: 0 to 6 years old.
- Primary or basic education: 6 to 12 years old.
- Middle or high school education: 12 to 17 years old.
- Technical or university education: 16 to 18 years old and up.
In most cases the first two stages of the process are compulsory and free.
Education systems are not immutable, and are often subject to review, criticism and reform, in search of a more efficient and more up-to-date model in a rapidly changing professional world.