Education in Vale

The system of education in Vale is divided in two levels: general and higher, and is unique to Vale. Education is mandatory for children aged 6–18. All institutions are publicly funded by the government. The education is regulated by the State through the Department of Education.

The teachers in public primary and secondary schools are all state civil servants, making the department the largest employer in the country. Professors and researchers in Vale's universities are also employed by the state.

The Education Index, published with the USK's Human Development Index in 1712, based on data from 1710, lists Vale as 0.995, amongst the highest in the world, tied for first with ???, ??? and New Zealand.

Primary Education
Schooling in Vale is mandatory as of age 6, the first year of primary school. Many parents start sending their children earlier though, around age 3 as nursery classes (maternelle) are usually affiliated to a village's primary school. Some even start earlier at age 2 in pré-maternelle classes, which are essentially daycare centres. The last year of maternelle is an important step in the educational process as it is the year in which pupils are introduced to reading.

After nursery, the young students move on to primary school. It is in the first year (cours préparatoire) that they will learn to write and develop their reading skills. Much akin to other educational systems, Valois primary school students usually have a single teacher (or perhaps two) who teaches the complete curriculum, such as Valois, mathematics, science and humanities to name a few. Note that the Valois word for a teacher at the primary school level is instituteur, or its feminine form institutrice.

Primary education consists in a curriculum of basic courses for the development of a primary set of knowledge as guided by the government. Students are to pass all these classes before being able to begin secondary education. They therefore fulfill their primary education at similar levels and ages. Usually, students finish their primary education at the age of 12. After finishing these courses, they receive a primary diploma, the diplôme d'études primaires or DEP.

Secondary Education
To pursue secondary education, students must have obtained previously a DEP. Students are to decide which classes they want. Classes work with a series of points. A student must achieve a determined amount of points in total to receive their diploma. Certain classes give more points than others and follow levels. For instance, a student who hasn't pass Geography 1 couldn't register for Geography 2. Students are required to all have general courses or formation générale, which include Valois language classes, physical education, philosophy and a foreign language class of which Basic is the most common choice. This education system shows uncommon characteristics such as students of different age studying in the same class. This ensures students to be in a more favorable environment for them to perform for their own different skills.

U/C

Higher Education
The national higher education system is in accordance with the Bologna process, with bachelor's degrees (baccalauréat, three years), master's degrees (maîtrise, two years) and doctoral degrees (doctorat, three years). Acceptance is offered after finishing secondary school with general university admissions certification. Public education is free, with an academic year with two semesters, from August to December and from January to June. The responsibility for higher education lies with the Valois Ministry of Higher Education.

Admissions
Acceptance to higher education requires a student to have obtained his DES with general university admissions certification. Many programs might require specific courses to have been taken and passed in order for a student to enter a program of choice in university. Admittance to Bachelor level programs is coordinated through the Valois University Admission Service based on a point scale, with the highest ranking students offered a place. Points are awarded based on average grades from secondary school, but additional points are awarded students with secondary two-year course specialization, science specialization, age and fulfilled one year of higher education, military service or adult education standardization school. Secondary school grades can be improved to increase points, but 40% of the places are only offered based on original transcripts without age or study points.

Grading
The grading in Valois universities are given according to scale of percentage, ranging from 100% to 0%, with 100% being the best and 60% the worst passing grade. Under 60% is a fail. A normal study progression awards 60 credits (stp) per year (30 per semester), most institutions either use a 7.5 or a 10 credit block system. Examinations are usually held every semester, in December and June, although exceptions occur.

Student welfare and economics
There are no tuition fees for attending higher education in Vale, as all the costs are covered by the Ministry of Higher Education. Students are also given the opportunity to apply for financial support (a part loan/part grant) from the Banque du Val. The main requirement for support is that you are a Valois citizen and student. However, foreign citizens may also be entitled to financial support.

Eligible applicants may be granted financial support (a part loan/part grant) of about ₱15,000. It is initially given as a full loan, but upon completion of modules in the education 50 percent of the amount is transferred to a scholarship/grant if the modules are passed. There is no interest paid while taking the education.

While studying, all students belong to a student welfare organisation that takes care of such services as housing, on-campus dining, book stores, kindergartens and advisory services. Part of this is finances through a student fee, typically at ₱50–75 per semester. There are a total of 75 such organisations, each covering a geographic area.

There is still an average of over 75% of students who use the distance education process and E-learning, providing by themselves or through their parents for their welfare needs.

Universities

 * Valois Basic University currently has 54,000 students, but is funded directly by the USKO and is therefore not considered part of the Ministry of Higher Education.