Taiwan vs Canada
Side-by-side comparison of how these places approach childhood.
Taiwan
In Taiwan, cram schools (buxiban) are so common that streets around them have rush hour at 9 PM.
Taiwan's educational intensity rivals South Korea and Japan โ children's evenings are structured around supplementary classes that extend the school day well into the night.
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.
Taiwan
Nine years of compulsory education plus a 12-year extension making senior high school nearly universal. The curriculum underwent major reform in 2019, adding elective courses and reducing mandatory content. Mandarin is the language of instruction, with Taiwanese Hokkien, Hakka, and indigenous languages offered.
Canada
Education is provincially controlled โ there is no federal curriculum. School starts at age 5โ6. French immersion programs are widely available. Emphasis on inclusivity and multicultural education.
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