Structure
and Organization of
the Education System
Pre-school education
According to local conditions,
there are three types of pre-primary education
available for children aged 3-5: pre-school
classes, kindergartens and child-care centres.
In general terms, private schools offer a
three-year kindergarten programme. There
are two types of pre-school education available
in State schools: two-year kindergarten
and one-year pre-school classes attached
to primary schools in rural areas. The
current trend is to expand the one-year
pre-school classes to two-year kindergartens
nationwide. Pre-school education is not
compulsory.
Primary education
Primary education is compulsory, lasts six
years and caters to children aged 6-12. According
to the National Education Act of 1999, formal
education is divided into two levels: basic
and higher education. Basic education refers
to the twelve years of schooling before higher
education.
Secondary education
Secondary education is
divided into two cycles: lower and upper
secondary, each one lasting three years.
The upper secondary
system is divided into two parallel tracks:
general or academic, and vocational.
Formal vocational education at the post-secondary level (vocational
colleges) generally lasts two years leading
to a diploma. Students may continue their
vocational education at the university level
(degree level, two-year programme).
Higher education
Higher
education is offered at three major levels:
lower than bachelor’s degree or diploma, undergraduate,
and graduate. The first professional qualification
is that of a bachelor’s degree which
is obtained after four years of higher study.
In the fields of architecture, painting,
sculpture, graphic arts and pharmacy, five
years of higher study are required for a
bachelor’s degree; medicine, dentistry
and veterinary science, require six years
of study. In some fields, an associate degree
is available after the first three years
of a bachelor’s course. The professional
first degree in medicine, veterinary science
and dentistry is that of doctor. In some
of these professions, additional post-degree
study is required before professional qualifications
allowing the candidate to practice in his
or her field are awarded. Advanced studies
of at least one but generally two years,
combined with a thesis, lead to the award
of a master’s degree. A doctoral degree
is awarded in some fields and requires an
additional three years of study following
a master’s degree. An advanced diploma
or certificate may be obtained after one
or two years of coursework. It is intended
for students who already possess a degree
or professional qualification.
According to the National Education Act of 1999, higher education
is divided into two levels: lower-than degree
level (two-year courses mainly related to
vocational and teacher education offered
by colleges and institutes under the Ministry
of Education); and degree level.
The average duration of the school year at the primary and
secondary levels is forty weeks. |
