Education 

Basic or Simple Literacy - the ability to read and write with understanding simple messages in
           any language or dialect.

Functional Literacy - represents a significantly higher level literacy which includes not only
           reading and writing skills but also numeracy skills. The skills must be sufficiently
           advanced to enable the individual to participate fully and effectively in activities
           commonly occurring in his life situation that require a reasonable capability beyond
           oral and written communication. 

                                                                                                                              Source: National Statistics Office

Elementary Education - the stage of formal education primarily concerned with providing basic
            education and usually corresponding to six (6) or seven (7) grades.

Enrolment - the total number of students who have registered as of August 31 in a given
            school year. 

Formal Education - institutionalized, hierarchically structured, chronologically graded
            educational system running from the elementary to tertiary levels.

Government or Public School - school established, operated and supported by the
           government.

National Elementary Assessment Test (NEAT) - a written examination basically designed to
           assess abilities and skills of Grade VI pupils in all public and private schools. It aims to
           measure learning outcomes in elementary level in response to the need of enhancing
           quality of education.

National Secondary Assessment Test (NSAT) - a battery of tests designed to assess abilities
           and skills necessary for success in four-year or more college degree programs. It is
           intended to complement or supplement school’s existing assessment procedures for
           career counseling.

Non-Formal Education - any organized educational activity outside the established formal
            system, that is intended for specific objectives and to serve identifiable clientele.

Post Secondary/Non-Degree Education - the stage of formal education  following the
           secondary level covering non-degree programs that have varying duration from three
           (3) months to three (3) years, concerned primarily with developing strong and
           appropriately trained middle-level skilled manpower possessing capabilities supportive
           of national development.

Pre-School - a school that admits students who are not old enough to enter the first level of
          education. These pupils are usually from 4 to 5 years of age.

Primary School - a school primarily concerned with providing basic education and usually
           corresponding to the first four grades of elementary education.

Private School - an educational institution maintained and administered by private individuals
           or groups.

Secondary School - an educational institution offering secondary education.

Secondary/High School Education - the stage of formal education following the elementary
           level usually corresponding to four (4) years of school, primarily with continuing basic
           education and expanding it to prepare the students for higher education and/or the
           world of work through the acquisition of employable gainful skills.

School Year - the period of time, of approximately 32 to 40 weeks, when schools offer daily
            instruction broken by short intermission periods (e.g., Christmas and summer
            vacations and holidays).

Technical Education - the education process designed at post-secondary and lower tertiary
          levels, officially recognized as non-degree programs aimed at preparing technicians,
          para-professionals and other categories of middle-level workers by providing them
          with a broad range of general education, theoretical, scientific and technological
          studies, and related job skills training.

Vocational Skills Training - programs of short duration ranging from three (3) months to about
           six (6) months. These are non-diploma programs but the students are given proficiency
           certificates on the trades they have satisfactorily completed.         

                                                                                        Source: Department of Education, Culture and Sports

Higher Education - the stage of formal education following the secondary education covering
           the programs on: (a) all courses of study leading to bachelor’s degree and (b) all
           degree courses of study beyond bachelor’s degree level.

                                                                                                            Source: Commission on Higher Education  

Glossary of Terms

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