Education in Trigunia

Education in Trigunia is solely the responsibility of regional governments which are maintain funding, regulation, and curriculum design; although the separate regions may create unique curriculum for which to teach about the history and culture of their regions. Despite its regional emphasis, the structure of schools remain relatively uniform throughout the country.

The regions are responsible for hiring of teachers and administrators; however, teachers are considered to be national civil servants and are paid by the national government. The school calendar is created and implemented by the Ministry of Education and Culture and is standardized throughout the nation; however, the local regions have the ability to change the vacation dates based upon the weather and cultural conditions.

Primary Education
All children enter first grade at age six, and starting school is considered a very important event in a child's life and is fundamental in shaping a positive attitude toward lifelong learning. Regardless of academic achievement, almost all children in elementary school are advanced to lower secondary school.

Most regional elementary schools educate children from age 6 through age 12, ranging from first through sixth cohort. However, unlike at the secondary level, students are kept together in cohorts based upon these ages. Virtually all elementary education takes place in public schools; less than 3% of the schools are private. Although public elementary education is free, some school expenses are borne by parents, for example, school lunches and supplies.

Elementary school classes tend to be rather large, about thirty students per class on average, in most regions but higher numbers are permitted in others. Elementary students are usually organized into small work groups, which have both academic and disciplinary functions. Students are taught to assume responsibility for the physical appearance of their classroom and school. For example, after eating snacks or lunch, students work in their small groups to clean tables, mop the floors and aid in the cleaning of dishes.

Secondary Education
Trigunian secondary school is split into two sections; the first, called Nizhnyaya shkola (Lower School), encompasses students between ages 12 and 15 years. However, unlike elementary school which organizes students by age cohort, Lower School organizes them by achievement. This achievement is determined by teacher observation and project merit. If it is deemed that a student, regardless of age, has proven adequately that they understand a concept or series of content knowledge, then they are allowed to move to the next series.

After finishing elementary school, children attend the first