Education in English speaking countries around the world is exciting to see, and can be quite diverse. For example, in many places in Africa, school begins around 6:00am and ends at noon so that children can be finished with classes by the heat of the day. The children receive one meal in school, which is breakfast, served around 9:00am. In many other English speaking countries, school begins in the morning and ends in the afternoon, with lunch being served.
Most of the English speaking countries around the world are members of the Commonwealth of Nations. Queen Elizabeth II is the Head of the Commonwealth. In general, those countries who were at one time part of the British Empire are members of the Commonwealth. This historical association has caused most Commonwealth nations to follow the British traditions in education. The United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the Republic of South Africa are all members of the Commonwealth.
Many in the Commonwealth are surprised to find that the United States was never a member of the Commonwealth. The United States left the British Empire in the late 1700's, before there was ever a Commonwealth. Ireland is no longer a member of the Commonwealth, as of the 1930's. For purposes of this web site, "Commonwealth" shall be used to refer to English speaking countries which are, or were at one time, members of the Commonwealth.