Education in the Velkanian Isles

The responsibility for the **education system in the Velkanian Isles** is delegated to the federal government. The system is divided into four major groupings: preschool, primary, upper secondary, and post-secondary.

The only compulsory schooling in the Velkanian Isles is primary school, which lasts for ages 6–16. Primary school is divided between primary and lower secondary education; the former lasts for ages 6–12, while the latter lasts for ages 12–16. Following primary schooling, upper secondary schooling begins. Upper secondary school is optional, but is still highly-attended; it lasts for ages 16–20. Most instruction is conducted in Velkanian, although one Framish language primary school exists in Narísandur, in addition to one Framish language comprehensive upper secondary facility.

Most educational institutions in the country are funded by the state; private schooling is relatively rare and can only legally exist as primary schools, while homeschooling is heavily regulated and inaccessible for most except for extreme circumstances. Due to a strict separation of church and state, public schooling cannot have any affiliation to a religious body.

## Levels

The Velkanian education system is divided into four levels: preschool, primary, upper secondary, and post-secondary. The primary school level is further subdivided into two sub-levels: primary and lower secondary.

### Preschool

Preschool, or *lítlafólksköli* ("child school"), is the first level of education in the Velkanian Isles. Preschool is non-compulsory but is very often a child's first experience in a classroom setting away from their parents, making it quite an important stage and one that most children attend. Preschool serves several purposes in Velkanian society: preparing children for primary school, allowing parents to return to their careers, and instructing children in reading and writing the Velkanian language. Preschool is free for all tax-paying residents of the Velkanian Isles, as tuition fees are covered through taxation. Most neighborhoods have at least one preschool located in them, and children typically attend the preschool closest to their home. Private preschools also exist, and are commonly associated with the wealthy and the Velkanian nobility. Children can first enroll in preschool when they are one year old, and can remain as students until they are six, which is when they begin primary school. Most Velkanian children begin preschool at age three, as all parents are given three years of paid parental leave to split between themselves.

In preschool, an emphasis is placed on learning through interaction with others and games. In most preschools, children are grouped together through age; classes will either consist of children aged 1–2, 2–4, or 4–6, but some preschools in less populated areas have all children grouped together. All preschools are coeducational, both public and private. While admission to a preschool is guaranteed for all Velkanian tax-payers, some preschools do not have space for all the children in their area, so some students must attend preschools further away; in determining who receives space at a preschool, priority is given to older children, the children of single parents or students, and children with special needs. In 2017, approximately 67.5% of children aged 1–6 were enrolled in a preschool.

### Primary

Primary school, or *méntrasköli* ("major school"), is the second level of education in the Velkanian Isles, and the only compulsory level. It is often divided into two sub-levels: primary education and lower secondary education. Most primary schools house both sub-levels in the same building, but in separate wings. Primary school is entirely free for tax-payers, with tuition being covered in taxation.

Students are given the right to attend primary school in the area that they live, so overcrowding is not a problem that students will face consequences for; it is the responsibility of the school to accommodate all students in the area. While it is compulsory, it is the responsibility of parents to register their children; the government sends application papers to the homes of families with children approaching the age of six, but no further reminders are given. Students with special needs also receive the right to attend primary school in their area, and typically are placed in special contained classes with special education teachers.

Private primary schools exist, but are relatively rare. Like private preschools, they are typically associated with the wealthy and the Velkanian nobility. As of 2018, about 96.5% of primary school students attend a public school.

#### Primary

Primary education, or *fyrstasköli* ("first school"), is the first sub-level of primary school. It lasts for six years, beginning when a child is six and concluding when a child is twelve. In primary education, students have one primary teacher who instructs their class in reading, writing, mathematics, science, and social studies. Students have the same primary teacher for all six years of primary education, and remain with the same classmates. During this stage, several speciality teachers also instruct the class on various speciality subjects; these include physical education, cooking, art, music, and the Ditrovian language. While physical education and Ditrovian are required for every term of primary education, cooking, art, and music are sometimes only assigned for one term out of the year or are not at all assigned for one year of schooling; this is often left up to the decision of the individual schools, and it is common for schools to not begin instructing children on cooking until the later years of primary education. Speciality subjects are taught either two or three times a week. Students do not receive any space for electives and typically are interacting with their same classmates everyday for all six years.

There are no standardized tests during primary education. All testing is done at the will of the primary teacher; some may require no tests, while others may test their students frequently. At the end of each term, students are given a grade by their primary teacher of 0 (failing), 1 (unsatisfactory), 2 (satisfactory), or 3 (exceptional) in each subject; speciality teachers also grade their students based on the one subject they teach. If a student receives more than three grades of 0 by the end of the year, they must repeat the school year. This is relatively rare, commonly being reserved for students with widespread disciplinary issues (often truancy) or those with extreme mental disabilities. Grades during primary education typically have no bearing on the future academic opportunities for a child, and instead act as a method of alerting the children's parents of their performance in school.

After completing primary education, students will advance to the lower secondary section of their primary school, with no need to apply or enroll separately.

#### Lower secondary

Lower secondary education, or *annarsköli* ("second school"), is the second and final sub-level of primary school. It lasts for four years, beginning when a child is twelve and concluding when a child is sixteen. In lower secondary education, students have different teachers and classmates across multiple subjects. Mandatory subjects studied across all four years of lower secondary education are mathematics, Velkanian literature, science, history, Ditrovian literature, Framish language, and physical education. In addition to those seven core subjects, students are often given the opportunity to choose from a number of electives across their four years; these electives include, but are not limited to, art, music, woodworking, cooking, sewing, social sciences, a second or third foreign language, world religions, child development, and others. Each class typically lasts for one hour and is studied either two or three times a week.

There are no standardized tests during lower secondary education. All testing is done at the will of the primary teacher; some may require no tests, while others may test their students frequently. At the end of each term, students are given a grade by each of their teachers from 0–9, which can also be modified by a plus or minus; grades 1–3 are considered unsatisfactory, 4–6 are considered satisfactory, and 7–9 are considered exceptional. A grade of 0 is failing; if a student receives more than three grades of 0 by the end of the year, they must repeat the school year. Like in primary education, this is relatively rare, commonly being reserved for students with widespread disciplinary issues (often truancy) or those with extreme mental disabilities. Unlike in primary education, a student's lower secondary education grades are highly important, as these are what determine what upper secondary school a student is accepted to. In addition to grading students, Velkanian law requires that schools hold internal assessments with students beginning in the lower secondary level; through this, each year students are asked of the quality of their teachers and overall school. Schools are assessed through an unannounced visit by the Ministry of Education and Culture every five years.

While lower secondary education is still meant to educate students, one of its major purposes is also to prepare students for upper secondary education. In their final two years of lower secondary education, students spend a large amount of time with school counselors, who help them decide on an academic plan and with putting together their upper secondary school applications. Students typically find out which upper secondary schools and programs they were accepted into by June of their final year of lower secondary education; they must confirm their enrollment in a program by the end of July.

### Upper secondary

Upper secondary school, or *uppgri-annarsköli* ("upper second school"), is the third level of education in the Velkanian Isles, and often considered to be one of the most important levels. Despite its importance, upper secondary school is not compulsory; however, it is still relatively uncommon for students to not attend, and 94.9% of Velkanians hold an upper secondary diploma, even higher with younger generations. Upper secondary school lasts for four years, beginning when a student is sixteen and concluding when a student is twenty. In order to complete upper secondary education, students can choose one of three options: junior college, vocational college, or a conservatory. Each have different requirements, prepare students for different paths, and specialize in something different. In 2018, approximately 47.5% of upper secondary students attended a junior college, 42.8% attended a vocational college, and 9.7% attended a conservatory. All upper secondary schools are publicly funded, as private upper secondary schools are illegal.

While all upper secondary schools are free for tax-payers, as they are funded through taxation, students must apply and be accepted in order to attend them. While it is very rare, it is not unheard of for a student to not be accepted into any upper secondary program; if this is the case, most students decide to either scrap their upper secondary plans or delay their enrollment until the following year. Students with special needs are expected to compete with other students for regular admission.

#### Junior colleges

Junior college, or *hösköli* ("high school"), is one of the three options students are given in regards to upper secondary education. Junior college is the most common path that students take, accounting for 47.5% of upper secondary school students in 2018. Junior college is seen as the most prestigious and academic of the three options, with its primary goal being to prepare students for university studies. Junior colleges have more stringent admissions criteria than vocational colleges, often requiring high lower secondary grades, teacher recommendations, and a personal essay. Some junior colleges are more prestigious than others, with some having to reject hundreds of applicants a year.

When applying to a junior college, students apply to one of six programs: social sciences, natural sciences and mathematics, history and literature, business and law, languages and literature, or general academics. The general academics program is unique in that students must incorporate courses from each of the five other programs, while being able to develop their own course of study. The six programs have been offered since the introduction of the general academics program in 1952, and every junior college in the Velkanian Isles has been required to offer all six since 1967. While applying, students specifically apply to programs rather than schools, meaning that one student can be accepted to one program but rejected by another at the same school. While students will focus the majority of their studies on their program, all students are still required to meet a standard of general academic requirements that exist across programs. Because of this, most students spend their first two years of studies completing their general requirements, later specializing in their program during their final two years. Students are able to switch between programs at any point during their studies, as long as they complete an application and are accepted. Students can also transfer to a vocational college if they are accepted. The final year of junior college ends with the Velkanian Matriculation Exams, which are university-entrance exams that must be taken if a student wishes to attend a university. Upon graduating from junior college, students receive a junior college diploma; these diplomas are an entrance requirement for most, but not all, university programs.

Like in lower secondary education, students have different teachers and classmates for each of their classes. In keeping with the national curriculum, students must complete three terms of mathematics, science, history, Velkanian literature, Ditrovian literature, and Framish language in order to graduate, in addition to four terms of physical education. After completing these requirements, students begin to plan their studies around their programs. At the end of each term, students are given a grade by each of their teachers from 0–9, which can also be modified by a plus or minus; grades 1–3 are considered unsatisfactory, 4–6 are considered satisfactory, and 7–9 are considered exceptional. A grade of 0 is failing; if a student receives a 0 in any course, they must retake it the following term and pass; if they fail to do so, the 0 will remain on their academic transcript and could impact their university acceptance. Failing courses that are required to graduate can also prevent students from graduating on time.

#### Vocational colleges

Vocational college, or *tæknisköli* ("technical school"), is one of the three options students are given in regards to upper secondary education. Vocational college is the second-most common path that students take, accounting for 42.8% of upper secondary school students in 2018. Vocational college's primary goal is to prepare students to enter the workforce immediately after graduating. While some students may be able to attend university after graduating, for the overwhelmingly majority of students they are attending the school in order to receive certifications in a certain trade. Vocational colleges have the least stringent admissions criteria of all three options for upper secondary school; most often, students only need to show proficiency in some lower secondary education classes that are needed to succeed in their chosen trade in order to be accepted, in addition to receiving teacher recommendations. Some trades have weaker admissions criteria than others.

When applying to a vocational college, students apply to one of the school's trade programs. Almost everyone who applies is accepted assuming they meet the clearly defined criteria. The only time a student who meets the criteria is rejected is often due to overcrowding; when this occurs, students are often given special admittance to the same trade program at a different school, or asked to select a different trade. In cases of overcrowding, students with higher grades are given priority. Unlike with junior colleges, not all trades are offered at every vocational school, with some schools choosing to specialize in certain kinds of trades, such as commerce or medical assisting. While students will focus the majority of their studies on their trade, all students are still required to meet a standard of general academic requirements that exist across trades. Because of this, most students spend their first year of studies completing their general requirements, later specializing in their trade during their final three years. Students are able to switch between trades at any point during their studies, as long as they complete an application and are accepted. Students can also transfer to a junior college if they are accepted. The final year of vocational college ends with the certification exams, which must be taken in order for a student to become certified in their chosen trade and allowed to legally work in it after graduating. Upon graduating from vocational college, students receive a vocational college diploma; these diplomas do not satisfy university entrance requirements for most programs, although they do for some. Vocational college students who wish to attend a university must sign up to take the Velkanian Matriculation Exams at a junior college, which are university-entrance exams that must be taken if a student wishes to attend a university. If they wish to apply to a university program that does not accept vocational college diplomas, they must complete a junior college diploma, often through night classes, which can be taken at a nearby junior college and completed in typically three years.

Like in lower secondary education, students have different teachers and classmates for each of their classes. In keeping with the national curriculum, students must complete one term of mathematics, science, history, Velkanian literature, Ditrovian literature, and Framish language in order to graduate, in addition to four terms of physical education. After completing these requirements, students begin to plan their studies around their trades. At the end of each term, students are given a grade by each of their teachers from 0–9, which can also be modified by a plus or minus; grades 1–3 are considered unsatisfactory, 4–6 are considered satisfactory, and 7–9 are considered exceptional. A grade of 0 is failing; if a student receives a 0 in any course, they must retake it the following term and pass; if they fail to do so, the 0 will remain on their academic transcript and could impact their hiring, as potential employers have access to upper secondary school grades until three years after the student graduates. Failing courses that are required to graduate can also prevent students from graduating on time.

#### Conservatories

Conservatories, or *konservatarnin*, are one of the three options students are given in regards to upper secondary education. Conservatories are the least common path that students take, accounting for only 9.7% of upper secondary school students in 2018. Conservatories are schools dedicated to the arts, where students receive intensive training in the performing arts or visual arts in addition to academic studies. Admissions criteria for conservatories are different from that for junior colleges or vocational colleges; depending on what they decide to study, students must audition or submit a portfolio for consideration, in addition to being required to submit lower secondary school grades and teacher recommendations. Despite the schools being focused on the arts, it is common for high lower secondary school grades to be an important factor in admissions due to the relatively low amount of students that are able to be accepted.

Each conservatory is allowed to break down their departments however they choose, along with some schools dedicating themselves solely to the visual arts and others to solely the performing arts. Regardless, students are asked to submit an application to the specific program that they are wishing to be accepted to. Admissions are normally very competitive, with most schools turning away hundreds of applicants every year. While students will focus the majority of their studies on their program, all students are still required to meet a standard of general academic requirements that exist across programs. Because of this, most students spend their first year of studies completing their general requirements, later specializing in their program during their final three years. Upon being accepted to one program, students are often stuck with that program for all four years, being unable to switch between programs. Unlike in junior colleges and vocational colleges, there are no standardized tests in the final year of studies, although some schools may organize special final projects or assignments that take up much time to complete. Upon graduating from a conservatory, students receive a conservatory diploma; these diplomas satisfy university entrance requirements for programs in either the visual or performing arts in addition to some other academic programs. Conservatory students who wish to attend a university must sign up to take the Velkanian Matriculation Exams at a junior college, which are university-entrance exams that must be taken if a student wishes to attend a university. If they wish to apply to a university program that does not accept conservatory diplomas, they must complete a junior college diploma, often through night classes, which can be taken at a nearby junior college and completed in typically three years.

Like in lower secondary education, students have different teachers and classmates for each of their classes. In keeping with the national curriculum, students must complete one term of mathematics, science, history, Velkanian literature, Ditrovian literature, and Framish language in order to graduate, in addition to four terms of physical education. After completing these requirements, students begin to plan their studies around their programs. At the end of each term, students are given a grade by each of their teachers from 0–9, which can also be modified by a plus or minus; grades 1–3 are considered unsatisfactory, 4–6 are considered satisfactory, and 7–9 are considered exceptional. A grade of 0 is failing; if a student receives a 0 in any course, they must retake it the following term and pass; if they fail to do so, the 0 will remain on their academic transcript and could impact their university acceptance. Failing courses that are required to graduate can also prevent students from graduating on time.

### Post-secondary

*See also: List of universities in the Velkanian Isles*

After graduating from upper secondary school, students have the option to attend post-secondary education, or *eftir-annarsköli* ("post-second school"). Post-secondary schooling is most common amongst graduates of junior colleges, where more than 90% of graduates go on to university studies. The numbers are much lower for graduates of conservatories and vocational colleges, at 32% and 7%, respectively.

There are twelve universities in the Velkanian Isles; ten of which are state-funded while two are privately-run. Public universities are generally free for tax-payers besides a small enrollment fee, while private universities charge tuition, often around $2,000 a term. In order to use the title "university," or *úniversísköli*, a school must receive recognition by the Orthing. All universities award bachelor's, master's, professional, and doctoral degrees. Institutions of higher education that do not receive this recognition can only operate under the generic title of *sköli* ("school"), and can only legally award certificates of completion, not degrees or diplomas. Most of these *sköli* have an older clientele of retirees, or younger students who were rejected from university and plan on applying again the following year. Each university is broken down into several faculties, which are then further broken down into departments. When applying to university, students apply to an individual faculty, and then choose which department they wish to study under once receiving their acceptance. Because of this, it is possible for students to be accepted to one faculty but rejected by another within the same university. Some faculties are also known for having either more competitive admissions or more stringent admission requirements than other faculties.

Upon enrolling in a faculty, students do not need to select a department or program of study until after completing their first term of studies; this allows students to experiment with courses in their chosen faculty for one term before selecting one to focus their degree on. Students are given complete control over the courses they decide to take. Each department offers various mapped-out degree programs, and students must complete the courses included in the degree program of their choice anytime prior to their graduation. There are no general requirements they must complete, and students can theoretically spend years studying in a university before completing their degree, if they continuously decide to take courses not included in their degree program. When applying to an institute, students must specifically mark what department they wish to study under in their application; different departments have varying acceptance rates within institutes, such as a nursing department being much easier to be accepted to than a medical department, all within an institute of medicine. Students are able to transfer between universities, faculties, institutes, and departments (within an institute), but they must submit an application and have their application accepted; additionally, with some transfers students may be prevented from graduating on time due to extra courses having to be added to their studies.

In the Velkanian Isles, bachelor's degrees most often take three years to complete, while master's degrees most often take two years. Most professional degrees take about six years to complete, although this depends on the degree itself. If a student did not attend a junior college, it will instead most likely take four years to complete a bachelor's degree. Each university is governed by a senate, which makes administrative decisions on behalf of the university. Additionally, every university has a president, who acts as the head of the senate and chief decision-maker. The president is appointed by the senate following a series of interviews, while the senate consists of a number of the university's faculty members and students who are elected by their peers.

#### Admissions

Most students apply to university faculties in their final year of upper secondary school. Applications are typically due by May of their final year, and students find out where they were accepted by July; they then must confirm their enrollment by August. Most academic programs require students to submit their upper secondary school grades, Velkanian Matriculation Exams scores, teacher recommendations, and a personal essay, while programs devoted to art or music will additionally require an audition or portfolio.

Admission largely depends on the faculty that the student is applying to. Each faculty operates as their own quasi-school, with varying acceptance rates. A student can apply to several faculties within one university, and receive acceptance to some but rejection to others. Some faculties are referred to instead as institutes; these are largely career-specific schools, with longer degree programs than at a typical faculty.

#### Housing

Unlike in some other countries, universities in the Velkanian Isles do not offer dormitories or boarding houses. Typically, students attend university in nearby cities to the places they live, which means that student housing is not necessary for most students. For students who wish to not remain at home or are attending university in a city far from where they live, they may request the university for assistance in finding housing; all universities are equipped with the ability to assist students with this, and finding housing is normally fairly simple. This system is also used for housing international and foreign exchange students.

## Educators

In the Velkanian Isles, educators are divided into five different categories: early childhood educators, primary teachers, lecturers, speciality teachers, and professors.

### Early childhood educators

Early childhood educators, or *lítlafólk kantin*, are educators who are certified to work in preschools with children aged 2–6. Early childhood educators are typically the lowest-paid educators in the Velkanian Isles, and require the least education, being the only educators who are not required to have a junior college diploma or university degree. Early childhood educators typically study early childhood education at a vocational college, receiving their certifications upon graduating.

### Primary teachers

Primary teachers, or *méntra kúflin*, are teachers who are certified to work in primary education with children aged 6–12. Primary teachers must be well-versed in mathematics, science, Velkanian grammar, social studies, and early childhood education in order to receive their certification. Most primary teachers attend junior colleges, although they are not required to. They must, however, receive a bachelor's degree in primary education from an accredited university. Students who studied early childhood education at a vocational college can receive admission to primary education degree programs at universities. Some primary teachers choose to specialize in special education, which is a distinct degree program that has the same requirements as becoming a primary teacher. Special education primary teachers are certified to teach children with special needs aged 6–16.

During their final year of studies, university students studying primary education must complete a student teaching assignment, where they apprentice for a certified primary teacher at a public primary school. They are required to participate in teaching three times a week for an entire term. Only after completing this can they receive their primary teaching certification.

### Lecturers

Lecturers, or *lesarnin*, are teachers who are certified to work in secondary education with students aged 12–20, being employed in both primary schools (as lower secondary education instructors) and upper secondary schools. Lecturers are required to specialize in a specific general subject, limited to mathematics, natural sciences, Velkanian grammar and literature, foreign language, history and humanities, business and law, or social sciences. All lecturers must hold a junior college diploma, a bachelor's degree in their subject of interest, and a master's degree in secondary education.

During their final year of studies, graduate students studying secondary education must complete a student teaching assignment, where they apprentice for a certified lecturer of their chosen subject at a public school. They are required to participate in teaching three times a week for an entire term. Only after completing this can they receive their lecturer certification.

### Speciality teachers

Speciality teachers, or *ségerin kúflin*, are teachers who are certified to teach speciality subjects for children of all ages. These speciality subjects include, but are not limited to, art, music, foreign language, woodworking, physical education, and others. However, speciality teachers who specialize in foreign language are not lecturers of foreign language, and cannot teach in the secondary education level. Speciality teachers are employed in both primary schools and upper secondary schools, including junior colleges, vocational colleges, and conservatories. Speciality teachers can hold diplomas from junior colleges, vocational colleges, or conservatories, depending on their subject, while post-secondary requirements also vary by subject. For example, speciality teachers of art or music require a bachelor's degree in art education or music education, respectively, while a woodworking teacher requires no bachelor's degree at all, instead only needing a vocational college diploma in woodworking.

All speciality teachers must complete a student teaching assignment, either during the final year of their university studies or (if a university degree is not required) sometime prior to beginning their careers, where they apprentice for a certified speciality teacher of their chosen subject at a public school. They are required to participate in teaching three times a week for an entire term. Only after completing this can they receive their speciality teaching certification.

### Professors

Professors, or *proféssorin*, are teachers who are certified to work in post-secondary education, teaching solely adult students. They are typically the most well-paid and highly-respected educators in the country. Professors specialize in one specific field of study, typically further specializing in an area of research within their chosen field. Professors are employed in post-secondary education institutions, most often universities but also non-degree-granting *sköli*. Professors for most academic subjects must hold a bachelor's degree, master's degree, and doctoral degree in their field of study. While graduate students, they typically assist working professors at their universities in order to receive teaching experience, being referred to as teaching assistants, or *aðstoðproféssorin* ("assistant professors").

Professors who teach non-academic subjects such art or music can hold diplomas from any upper secondary educational institution, and can be hired at the discretion of the university's senate, without any general requirement of post-secondary education. Professors who teach professional subjects such as medicine, nursing, or law must be certified to work in their field of instruction; they spend one term as an apprentice for a certified professor in their field of instruction, but are not required to hold any graduate degrees apart from the field's entry-level degree.