Education

With the formation of human colonies across the galaxy, the Systems Union did not originally see the need for a unified curriculum. A highly hands-off approach by the government was taken, though the general rule was that schooling should be geared towards making the next generation of the human race into skilled technicians, scientists and workers. Colonial governments were largely given resolute freedom to create their own curriculums and systems of education.

### Adoption of the Standard Curriculum

First contact with the Tarkan in 2532 and later the Tasaar in 2540 proved to the Systems Union Council, however, that a unified education curriculum was needed to prepare human children for the realities of living alongside alien species. Beginning in 2543, significant overhauls to the education system were enacted, and colonial governments were made to adopt a unified curriculum which has been collectively called the Standard Curriculum. While retaining the teaching of technical skills, this curriculum also offers significant courses in alien anatomy, biology, and history.

The adoption of the Standard Curriculum also brought with it certain overhauls in the methods for actually attending schools. The heavy urbanization of most older colonies such as Argus meant that the new school system was built around city schooling. Schools had been using buses since the 20th century, but it was decided that the education budget for the Systems Union needed to be much higher, and by 2560 most schools had their own rail lines and electric trains for transporting students to and from cities, if they were in rural areas immediately around the city. Even some small towns were granted these rail lines, though these were granted on a very limited basis and rural communities typically preferred to use buses.

### Education for Rural Communities

Schooling is considered to be mandatory for all citizens of the Systems Union and children are expected to spend a certain amount of time in school. For those communities which were more remote and could not possibly utilize rails to get to schools, a somewhat less-than-savory boarding school method was adopted in which children would live in government-funded habitation centers connected directly to city schools by tram line or even directly attached to the schools. However, not all schools had these facilities, meaning that in many cases the burden would fall to the parents to get their children to school.

Habitation complexes, however, are rent-free, but there has still been extreme dislike for the boarding school system which has caused a minority movement to de-unify the curriculum and get rid of the boarding school system. Some forms of "alternate schooling" have even risen up, utilizing rented buildings or homeschooling. However, among the city poor, habitation centers have seen significant support. The system meant that street children and orphans could attend school and have a place to live, as the boarding program was guaranteed until age 16, when most students completed their primary schooling.

The solution was not immediately clear, but in 2582 the invention of Holographic Communication provided the answer. Schools were among the first institutions to adopt holocommunicators in a widespread manner, and the boarding school method has seen somewhat of a decline in both support and funding, as issuing students holocommunicators is both far more parent-friendly and significantly cheaper than dormitory upkeep. This has only become more true as time progressed, as holocommunicators have rapidly become more ergonomic.

### Curriculum Details

Unlike in previous centuries, the Standard Curriculum and the use of rail lines has done away with the need for separated schooling. Instead, schools are now extremely large, often multi-story buildings which house all grades, K-12, in the same space. This typically continues until age 16, at which point students choose their educational path.

For students with a poor background, this means a military academy or cadet program, or simply enlisting outright. Those with more fortunate backgrounds, however, often find themselves in trade schools or universities. The planet of Mars is thought to have the best higher education facilities in the Systems Union.