National / Centrally Defined Systems
Countries where national authorities establish substantial common curriculum structures, programmes or curriculum standards across the education system.
National Curriculum Frameworks
NTES International Education Reference Library
National CurriculumFramework Library
Compare national, regional, provincial and state curriculum systems from leading education jurisdictions around the world.
The library distinguishes centrally defined national systems from decentralised models so curriculum comparison remains accurate, useful and professionally credible.
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National curriculum governance differs substantially between countries
France, China, South Korea, Japan and Singapore use centrally defined national curriculum structures. Finland combines a national core curriculum with local curriculum development. Australia combines a national curriculum with state and territory implementation. Canada, Germany, the United States and Switzerland are more decentralised. NTES therefore classifies each jurisdiction according to its actual governance model.
International curriculum benchmarking
Compare curriculum systems without oversimplifying them
Curriculum comparison can help schools examine how different systems structure knowledge, competencies, assessment, progression and professional responsibility.
The purpose is not to rank countries or copy isolated practices. Each NTES profile places curriculum within the governance and educational context in which it operates.
This gives leaders, curriculum teams and teachers a stronger evidence base when reviewing their own curriculum and future educational strategy.
National framework library
12
Countries in core library
12
Detailed profiles available
4
Framework groups
Global
Comparative coverage
Library architecture
Four groups reflecting real curriculum governance
Grouping countries by governance makes comparison more meaningful than placing every system in one undifferentiated list.
National Framework + Regional Implementation
Systems with a national curriculum framework where states, territories or other jurisdictions determine significant aspects of implementation.
Decentralised Curriculum Systems
Countries where curriculum responsibility sits substantially with provinces, states, Länder, cantons or other subnational authorities.
Additional Verified National Systems
Additional national systems included only after current official curriculum structures and sources have been carefully verified.
Curriculum governance
Where does curriculum responsibility sit?
National Curriculum
France · China · South Korea · Japan · Singapore
National authorities establish major curriculum programmes, standards or learning expectations across the country.
National Core + Local Curriculum
Finland
A national core curriculum provides common objectives and principles while local education providers and schools develop more detailed curricula.
National + Regional Implementation
Australia
A national curriculum exists while states, territories or other jurisdictions determine how it is implemented within their systems.
Provincial / Regional
Canada · Germany · Switzerland
Curriculum authority is substantially decentralised to provinces, Länder, cantons or other regional authorities.
State & Local
United States
States establish academic standards and education requirements while districts and schools retain significant responsibility for curriculum implementation.
National framework library
Explore curriculum systems by governance model
Twelve detailed national and jurisdictional curriculum profiles are now available. The current core National Curriculum Framework Library is complete and can be expanded with additional verified systems in future phases.
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National / Centrally Defined Systems
Countries where national authorities establish substantial common curriculum structures, programmes or curriculum standards across the education system.
FinlandAvailable
National Core Curriculum + Local Curriculum
Finland
National framework with local implementation
Explore Finland's curriculum architecture from early childhood through basic education, general upper secondary education and vocational pathways, including transversal competences, multidisciplinary learning and local curriculum design.
Framework coverage
✓
Early Childhood Education & Care
✓
Pre-Primary Education
✓
Basic Education: Grades 1–9
✓
General Upper Secondary
✓
Vocational Education & Training
FranceAvailable
National Curriculum + National Programmes
France
Nationally defined curriculum
Explore France's nationally defined curriculum from école maternelle through primary, collège and lycée, including learning cycles, national programmes, the socle commun and general, technological and vocational secondary pathways.
Framework coverage
✓
École maternelle / Cycle 1
✓
Cycle 2
✓
Cycle 3
✓
Cycle 4
✓
Lycée & Baccalauréat
ChinaAvailable
National Curriculum + National Curriculum Standards
China
Centrally defined national curriculum
Explore China's national curriculum architecture, including the 2022 compulsory-education curriculum, nine-year progression, subject curriculum standards, core competencies, academic quality standards and senior-high curriculum pathways.
Framework coverage
✓
Primary Education
✓
Junior Secondary Education
✓
2022 Compulsory Education Curriculum
✓
National Subject Standards
✓
Core Competencies & Academic Quality
✓
Senior High Curriculum
South KoreaAvailable
National Curriculum System
South Korea
Nationally defined curriculum
Explore South Korea's national curriculum architecture, including the 2022 Revised National Curriculum, future competencies, digital literacy, sustainability, student choice and progression across elementary, middle and high school.
Framework coverage
✓
Elementary Education
✓
Middle School
✓
High School
✓
2022 Revised National Curriculum
✓
Future Competencies & Digital Literacy
✓
High School Credit System
JapanAvailable
National Curriculum Standards
Japan
National Courses of Study
Explore Japan's Courses of Study, the national curriculum standards established by MEXT for schools from kindergarten through elementary, lower secondary and upper secondary education.
Framework coverage
✓
Kindergarten
✓
Elementary School
✓
Lower Secondary School
✓
Upper Secondary School
✓
Courses of Study
SingaporeAvailable
National Curriculum & Education Framework
Singapore
Centrally governed national education system
Explore Singapore's national curriculum and education pathways, including primary education, secondary education, Full Subject-Based Banding, post-secondary pathways, 21st Century Competencies, AI literacy and future-ready learning.
Framework coverage
✓
Primary Education
✓
Secondary Education
✓
Full Subject-Based Banding
✓
Singapore-Cambridge SEC from 2027
✓
Post-Secondary Pathways
✓
21st Century Competencies
B
National Framework + Regional Implementation
Systems with a national curriculum framework where states, territories or other jurisdictions determine significant aspects of implementation.
AustraliaAvailable
Australian Curriculum + State / Territory Implementation
Australia
National curriculum with jurisdictional implementation
Explore the Australian Curriculum Version 9.0 and the role of states and territories in implementation, including learning areas, general capabilities, cross-curriculum priorities, achievement standards and senior-secondary pathways.
Framework coverage
✓
Foundation
✓
Years 1–6
✓
Years 7–10
✓
Eight Learning Areas
✓
Seven General Capabilities
✓
Three Cross-Curriculum Priorities
✓
State & Territory Implementation
C
Decentralised Curriculum Systems
Countries where curriculum responsibility sits substantially with provinces, states, Länder, cantons or other subnational authorities.
CanadaAvailable
Provincial & Territorial Curriculum Systems
Canada
Decentralised by province and territory
Explore Canada's decentralised curriculum landscape, where provinces and territories are responsible for education, curriculum, assessment and graduation requirements, with detailed comparison of Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
Framework coverage
✓
CMEC National Context
✓
10 Provinces & 3 Territories
✓
Ontario Curriculum
✓
British Columbia Curriculum
✓
Alberta Curriculum
✓
Assessment & Graduation
✓
Student Mobility
GermanyAvailable
Länder Curriculum & Education Systems
Germany
Federal system led by the Länder
Explore Germany's decentralised education system, where the 16 Länder hold primary responsibility for school curricula while the KMK supports national comparability through educational standards, qualification agreements and coordinated frameworks.
Framework coverage
✓
KMK National Coordination
✓
16 Länder Curriculum Systems
✓
Grundschule & Secondary Pathways
✓
KMK Bildungsstandards
✓
Abitur & Upper Secondary
✓
Saxony
✓
Bavaria
✓
Berlin
United StatesAvailable
State Academic Standards & Curriculum Systems
United States
State and local responsibility
Explore the United States education landscape through state academic standards, local curriculum decisions, Common Core where adopted, NGSS where adopted, assessment and accountability systems, and selected state examples including California, New York and Texas.
Framework coverage
✓
Federal Education Context
✓
State Academic Standards
✓
Local Curriculum Decisions
✓
Common Core Where Adopted
✓
NGSS Where Adopted
✓
California
✓
New York
✓
Texas
✓
Assessment & Graduation
SwitzerlandAvailable
Cantonal & Language-Region Curriculum Systems
Switzerland
Federal system with cantonal responsibility
Explore Switzerland's decentralised curriculum architecture, where cantons retain responsibility for compulsory education while curriculum harmonisation takes place through language-region frameworks, national competency objectives and intercantonal coordination.
Framework coverage
✓
26 Cantonal Education Systems
✓
EDK / CDIP Coordination
✓
HarmoS & National Education Objectives
✓
Lehrplan 21
✓
Plan d’études romand
✓
Piano di studio
✓
Assessment & Educational Monitoring
✓
Upper-Secondary Pathways
D
Additional Verified National Systems
Additional national systems included only after current official curriculum structures and sources have been carefully verified.
RussiaAvailable
Federal Education Standards + Federal Educational Programmes
Russia
Strong federal curriculum framework
Explore Russia's federal general-education framework through Federal State Educational Standards (FGOS), Federal Educational Programmes, primary, basic general and secondary general education, learning outcomes, assessment and school implementation.
Framework coverage
✓
Primary General Education
✓
Basic General Education
✓
Secondary General Education
✓
FGOS Federal Standards
✓
Federal Educational Programmes
✓
Personal, Meta-Subject & Subject Outcomes
✓
Assessment & State Certification
Available detailed profiles
Twelve curriculum-system profiles are now live
The completed core library represents a broad range of international curriculum governance models, from centrally defined national systems and federal standards frameworks to national-plus-jurisdiction models and decentralised provincial, state, Länder and cantonal systems.
Finland
National Core + Local Curriculum
National coherence combined with local curriculum responsibility, transversal competences and multidisciplinary learning.
Explore FinlandFrance
National Curriculum + National Programmes
A nationally defined curriculum organised through learning cycles, the socle commun and general, technological and vocational pathways.
Explore FranceSingapore
National Curriculum + Flexible Learner Pathways
A centrally governed education system combining strong academic foundations, bilingualism, Full Subject-Based Banding, 21st Century Competencies, AI literacy and multiple post-secondary pathways.
Explore SingaporeJapan
National Curriculum Standards + Courses of Study
A nationally coordinated curriculum system built around MEXT's Courses of Study from kindergarten through elementary, lower secondary and upper secondary education.
Explore JapanSouth Korea
National Curriculum + Future Competencies
A nationally defined curriculum shaped by the 2022 Revised National Curriculum, with emphasis on digital literacy, learner agency, future competencies, sustainability and flexible upper-secondary pathways.
Explore South KoreaChina
National Curriculum + Curriculum Standards
A nationally coordinated curriculum system combining the 2022 compulsory-education curriculum, nine-year progression, subject standards, core competencies, academic quality standards and senior-high pathways.
Explore ChinaAustralia
National Curriculum + State / Territory Implementation
A national Foundation–Year 10 curriculum combining eight learning areas, seven general capabilities and three cross-curriculum priorities, with implementation determined by states, territories and education sectors.
Explore AustraliaCanada
Provincial & Territorial Curriculum Systems
A decentralised education system with curriculum authority across 10 provinces and three territories, illustrated through Ontario, British Columbia and Alberta.
Explore CanadaGermany
Länder Curriculum + KMK Standards
A federal education system in which the 16 Länder establish detailed curricula while the KMK supports national comparability through Bildungsstandards, qualification agreements and coordinated educational frameworks.
Explore GermanyUnited States
State Academic Standards + Local Curriculum
A decentralised education system in which states establish academic standards and major requirements while districts and schools make substantial curriculum and instructional decisions.
Explore United StatesSwitzerland
Cantonal + Language-Region Curriculum Systems
A decentralised multilingual system combining cantonal education authority with Lehrplan 21, Plan d’études romand, Piano di studio and national competency objectives.
Explore SwitzerlandRussia
Federal Standards + Federal Educational Programmes
A strongly coordinated federal education framework combining FGOS standards, Federal Educational Programmes, nationally defined learning outcomes and school-level implementation across general education.
Explore RussiaProfessional comparison
What should schools compare across national curricula?
International benchmarking is most useful when schools compare structural features rather than isolated classroom techniques.
Governance
Identify whether curriculum authority sits nationally, regionally, provincially, at state level or across multiple layers of government.
Curriculum Structure
Compare how learning is organised through stages, subjects, cycles, standards, competencies or local curriculum frameworks.
Assessment
Understand the relationship between classroom assessment, national or regional testing, examinations and qualification systems.
Teacher Autonomy
Compare how much responsibility teachers and schools have for curriculum design, pedagogy, sequencing and local adaptation.
Competencies
Identify how systems develop transferable capabilities such as digital competence, critical thinking, communication and citizenship.
Progression
Examine how curriculum stages connect learners to upper-secondary education, qualifications, vocational routes and higher education.
Future expansion
Building a wider global curriculum comparison library
The twelve core jurisdictions above will be developed first. Additional countries can then be incorporated where current official curriculum information is available.
National Curriculum Framework
New Zealand
Future verified expansion
National Curriculum System
Estonia
Future verified expansion
National Curriculum Framework
Norway
Future verified expansion
National Curriculum System
Sweden
Future verified expansion
National Curriculum Context
United Arab Emirates
Future verified expansion
Future Verified Expansion
Additional Countries
Future verified expansion
NTES national curriculum standards
Accurate classification before comparison
No False National Equivalence
NTES does not label decentralised systems as national curricula when curriculum authority actually sits with states, provinces, territories, Länder or cantons.
Official Sources First
Each national profile is grounded in current official government, ministry or curriculum-agency information wherever available.
Context Matters
Curriculum features are explained within their governance, cultural, assessment and qualification contexts rather than presented as isolated techniques.
Professional Comparison
The library helps schools benchmark curriculum structures without implying that one country's education model should simply be copied into another.
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National curriculum frameworks change over time
Governments and curriculum authorities periodically revise curricula, academic standards, assessment policies and qualification requirements. Schools should always verify the framework applicable to their jurisdiction and school year.
NT Education Solutions is an independent education provider and is not affiliated with the governments, ministries or curriculum authorities represented in this library.
Related NTES resources
Connect national benchmarking with international frameworks
International Systems
Curriculum Frameworks
Compare Cambridge, Pearson Edexcel, IB, Montessori, OxfordAQA and IPC / IMYC.
Open Curriculum LibraryInspection
Inspection Frameworks
Explore school inspection and evaluation systems by country and jurisdiction.
Open Inspection LibrarySchool Quality
Accreditation & Quality
Explore international accreditation, authorization and quality-assurance systems.
Open Quality LibraryFrom international benchmarking to curriculum improvement
Use international curriculum evidence to strengthen local school practice
Comparing national systems can help schools examine curriculum progression, transferable competence, assessment, teacher autonomy, digital learning and learner preparation for future education and employment.