Comparison

Jordan vs Canada

Side-by-side comparison of how these places approach childhood.

At a glance

Jordan

One in five students in Jordanian public schools is a Syrian refugee child.

Jordan hosts 660,000 Syrian refugees, and its schools have absorbed their children through a double-shift system.

Canada

In Canada, children play outside at recess in -25ยฐC โ€” 'there's no bad weather, only bad clothing.'

Most Canadian provinces mandate outdoor recess regardless of temperature. Schools set a cold-weather threshold (often -25ยฐC or -30ยฐC with wind chill) โ€” but it has to be extreme before children stay inside.

How they compare
Child independence expectations
Jordan
Canada
Low High
Structured enrichment emphasis
Jordan
Canada
Low High
Risk tolerance in play
Jordan
Canada
Low High
School systems
Refugee-absorbing model

Jordan

Jordan's 10-2 compulsory system has expanded dramatically to absorb Syrian refugee children. Many schools operate double shifts โ€” Jordanian children in the morning, Syrian children in the afternoon. Education is free through secondary school.

Canadian model

Canada

Education is provincially controlled โ€” there is no federal curriculum. School starts at age 5โ€“6. French immersion programs are widely available. Emphasis on inclusivity and multicultural education.

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โ† Jordan profile ยท Canada profile โ†’