Education policy is a responsibility of the provinces. The period of free compulsory school attendance varies, but is a minimum of nine years. The prime medium of instruction is English in all provinces except francophone QuΘbec. However, in several other provinces, French-speaking students are entitled to be taught in French.
Canada has 69 universities and 203 other higher education institutions. Over 75% of secondary level students go on to some form of higher education û the highest proportion in the industrialized world. The emphasis placed on education is also reflected in the fact that Canada's total education expenditure as a percentage of GDP also tops the league at over 7%.
