Basque education system

Education in the Basque Country is entirely free from the age of 3, and compulsory between 6 and 16 years. The majority of students are educated in the Basque language.

Levels of schooling

• Infant education

For children aged 0-3 years, and is available at a subsidised cost.

• Infant education

For children aged 3-6 years, and is both free and optional.

• Primary education

For children aged 6-12 years, and is compulsory and free.

• Secondary education

For children aged 12-16 years, and is compulsory and free. Upon completion of this level of schooling, students with satisfactory grades have to option to continue their education for two additional years. Students will either persue academic study in preparation for university entrance examinations, or follow a professional training course. Those who fall short of the satisfactory grades may attend professional initiation programmes as a precursor to entering the job market.

Higher education

In addition to many institutions which specialise in vocational training, the Basque country boasts 2 universities. The public University of the Basque Country and the Jesuit-owned private University of Deusto are two of Spain's most prestigious.

Ikastolak

The Basque Country was granted autonomous powers with regard to education following the death of Franco in 1979, and the option of an education entirely in Basque became available in schools called ikastolak. There are three types of school differentiated by their linguistic teaching models:

• A - 8.1% of students. Education is entirely in Spanish, with Basque as a cumpulsory subject. 8.1% of students are educated in this way.
• B - 30.5%. Education is partly in Basque, partly in Spanish (usually mathamatics and reading/writing).
• D - 61.4%. Education entirely in Basque, with Spanish as a compulsory subject.