Education in the Holy Elysian Empire

Education in the Holy Elysian Empire consists of daycare programs for babies and toddlers, 2 years of preschool (ages 5-6), and 11 years of compulsory basic comprehensive school (ages 7 - 16). The education system is managed by the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of Science and Technology and the Ministry of Culture and Arts. Public Education is funded by the Government while Private schools are free to determine their curriculum under existing laws and regulations. 

History

During the Pre-Elysian Period, children were provided solely vocational training supervised by parents, tribal tutors and other specialized roles within their community. This has made stories, songs, poetry, dances, medicinal practices, advice in life, and languages like Cuyonon, Hilgaynon, Tagalog, Cebuano, and Waray-Waray to pass down to generation to generation, which has become a part of Elysian Culture and Arts. 

Between the 14th and 15th centuries, the Elysian and local Filipino cultures blended, and the education system in the country was primarily informal, emphasizing classical knowledge and practical skills.

In the 16th century, under the reign of Empress Helena the Great, recognizing the need for a structured education system, the Empress established the first formal schools in the Capital City of Elysium and funded the building of schools and institutions around the country, which has made education in the Empire formalized. These educational institutions integrated Byzantine Philosophy, arts and sciences, and local wisdom.

In the 18th and 19th centuries, the Holy Elysian Empire experienced a cultural renaissance with monarchs like Emperor Demetrios III who promoted arts, literature, and sciences. During his reign, the Emperor signed a law creating the Ministry of Education and the prestigious University of Elysia, which is the oldest and most famous University of the Empire and in Asia. In this period, the education system flourished with the establishment of academies and libraries, fostering intellectual growth and creativity. This period has created famous scientists like Eva Michaelakou, Michail Petrellis, Aristeidis Architis, and Gianni Elitsis.

In the 20th and 21st centuries, Emperor Alexander II modernized the education system by introducing modern educational methods, building school laboratories, and standardizing the national curriculum. In 2003, Empress Theodora III added sustainable development and environmental education to the curriculum and also made preschool and elementary school free of charge. In the coming decades, the education system will modernize with the rise of the digital age, with its online resources and digital skills being integrated into the education system, and the Empire will increase its investments in cutting-edge technology for educational purposes.

Contemporary Period: Under the reign of Empress Catherine I, the Empress has made a reform to the national curriculum to not only focus on academic excellence but also on the development of critical thinking, emotional intelligence, and ethical values.

K-10 Education System

The K-10 system provides a framework for the early years of formal education, covering a broad range of subjects to establish foundational knowledge and skills and to prepare them for tertiary education, middle-level skills development, employment, and entrepreneurship. It is divided into preschool (kindergarten), elementary (primary school), and Highschool (Secondary School).

Preschool (Kindergarten)

• Play-based Learning: focuses on developing social skills, creativity, and emotional intelligence.
• Basic Literacy and Numeracy: Introduction to basic language and numeracy skills through age-appropriate activities and games.
• Nature and Outdoor Activities: Emphasis on outdoor activities and nature exploration to foster a connection with the environment.

In Kindergarten, every student must learn how to speak and read in their mother tongue, the 9 original mother tongue languages introduce in the current national curriculum are:

Elementary School (Grade 1 - 6)

• Multidisciplinary Learning: Subjects are often integrated to provide a holistic understanding of topics.
• Languages: English and Latin are mandatory subjects.
• Mathematics and Sciences: Fundamental concepts in mathematics and sciences.
• Arts and Crafts: Creative subjects like music, visual arts, and crafts.
• Physical Education: Emphasis on physical activity and sports to promote a healthy lifestyle.
• Ethics and Religious Studies: Introduction to ethical and religious concepts, with a focus on understanding different beliefs.

Junior Highschool (Grade 7 - 9)

• Core Subjects: Continued study of Latin, English, mathematics, sciences, social studies, and physical education.
• Elective Subjects: Introduction of elective courses, allowing students to explore areas of interest.
• Practical Skills: Emphasis on practical skills, problem-solving, and critical thinking.
• Orientation to Further Education: Guidance and preparation for upper secondary education or vocational training.

Senior Highschool (10 - 11)

• Specialization: Students choose between academic and vocational tracks. Academic students study a range of subjects, while vocational students focus on their chosen field.
• Advanced Studies: In-depth study of subjects related to the chosen track.
• Matriculation Examination: Academic track students take a matriculation examination, which is a prerequisite for university admission.
• Career Guidance: Support and guidance for future career choices, whether it be entering the workforce or pursuing higher education.

Vocational School

• Practical Skills: Vocational education in Elysia emphasizes hands-on, practical training in specific fields such as healthcare, technology, business, and hospitality.
• Workplace Training: Students undergo real-world, on-the-job training as part of their vocational education, gaining experience in their chosen field.
• Career-Specific Subjects: The curriculum includes subjects directly related to the chosen vocational field, ensuring students acquire the skills and knowledge necessary for their future careers.
• General Studies: Vocational students also receive a well-rounded education with general studies, including languages, mathematics, and social sciences.

Science High schools

• Science high schools are special schools for the more promising students to foster the problem-solving approach of critical thinking. As separate high schools, they have specific characteristics not found in regular high schools. These science schools are more exclusive and have higher standards than public and private high schools.

Higher Education

• Elysia has both universities and polytechnics. Universities typically focus on research and academic education, while polytechnics offer more practical and professionally oriented education. 

Other Types of School

School year and class hours

The school year usually runs from June to March, with an intervening semestral break at the last week of October and a two-week school break at the third and last week of December. Other national school holidays can be found here by clicking this link: List of Public Holidays. By law, the school year can begin as early as June or as late as August. Students are required to go to school for five days (Monday to Friday). 

Teachers 

There are 612,849 public school teachers as of 2094. The teacher-learner ratio in Philippine public schools in 2020 was 1:28 in public elementary schools, 1:25 in junior high school, and 1:29 in senior high school. And there are around 350,000 teaching and non-teaching staff in private schools as of 2094. The monthly salary of a public school teacher is 500$ while private school teachers are 350$.

Students

More than 17 million students are enrolled in 2021, 13 million of whom are in public schools and estimated 6 million students are in private schools. It was estimated that around 1 million to 2 million students ages 16-18 are not attending schools as of 2094.

Issues 

• Teacher Burnout
• Low Salary and Quality of Life of teachers
• Growing Inequality
• Lack of Facilities in Rural areas
• Mismatch

Statistics