Education System

Funding

Teachers and Teacher Training

General Education

Vocational Education

Adult Education

Higher Education

Research

Language

Youth

Children who turn 7 years of age by 1 October of the current year are obliged to attend school. Before starting school children usually attend preschool child care institutions. The compulsory schooling obligation applies to children until they acquire basic education or turn 17 years of age.

Pupils in grades 1 to 9 acquire basic education. In grades 7 to 9, they also have the opportunity to enter into vocational training in the field that interests them.

Pupils who do not finish basic school and who are at least 17 years old can enter vocational education without the requirement of basic education (0.5 to 2.5 years, only professional skills are acquired) and/or continue acquiring basic education in an adult upper secondary school.

After basic education, pupils have four options for further studies:

1. upper secondary school – general secondary education is acquired (3 years);
   

2. upper secondary school with vocational training (preliminary vocational training) – general secondary education and some professional skills are acquired (3 years);
   

3. vocational educational institution – secondary vocational education is acquired (at least 3 years);
   

4. vocational educational institution – professional skills are acquired without general education (1 to 3 years).