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

*Infant educationFor children aged 3-6 years, and is both free and optional.

*Primary educationFor children aged 6-12 years, and is compulsory and free.

*Secondary educationFor children aged 12-16 years, it is compulsory and free. Upon completion of this level of schooling, students with satisfactory grades have the option to continue their education for two additional years. Students will either pursue 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 4 universities. The public University of the Basque Country and the Jesuit-owned private University of Deusto are two of Spain's most prestigious. The Opus Dei-governed University of Navarre has a campus in San Sebastian.The newest one is the University of Mondragon, part of Mondragón Corporación Cooperativa.

Ikastolak

The Basque Country was granted autonomous powers with regard to education following the death of Franco in 1975, and the option of an education entirely in Basque became available in schools called ikastolak. There are four types of school differentiated by their linguistic teaching models:

*X - 0.6% of students. Education is entirely in Spanish.
*A - 26.2% of students. Education is entirely in Spanish, with Basque as a compulsory subject. 26.2% of students are educated in this way.
*B - 23.0%. Education is partly in Basque, partly in Spanish (usually mathematics and reading/writing).
*D - 50.2%. Education entirely in Basque, with Spanish as a compulsory subject.