School system in Spain

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The school system in Spain is divided into three blocks. The Educación Primaria lasts six years, the second block with the Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (ESO) lasts four years. Spanish students usually complete these at the age of 16. The general compulsory education is up to the age of 16 years.

The school system in Spain differs from the education system in Germany in many respects.

The law currently in force in Spain to regulate the education system Ley Orgánica de Ordenación del Sistema Educativo (LOGSE) dates from 1990. It forms the basis for the duality of public and private educational institutions and regulates participation in the institutes. From a political point of view, responsibility for education is divided between the central government - the Ministry for Education, Culture and Sport is responsible here - and the respective autonomous regions in Spain, similar to Germany.

According to Spanish law, there is compulsory schooling for ten years for ages 6 to 16. Despite the free state schools, around 30 percent of the children attend a private school , mostly an institution of the Catholic Church . In the Spanish school system, which is strongly based on the French model, general high school education up to the bachillerato , which corresponds to the German Abitur , is provided.

Even before they start school, which is required by law, children between the ages of zero and six are offered an Educación Prescolar . This voluntary pre-school education is divided into two cycles: from zero to three years and three to six years.

Educación Primaria - primary school

Compulsory schooling begins in Spain from the age of six. During the first six years, the children go through a kind of secondary school, the Educación Primaria . Overall, this schooling is divided into three cycles, whereby two cycles are always combined. For the students, this means that they cannot sit down for the first year of each cycle. Only if after the second school year within a cycle the performance is unsatisfactory is the last school year repeated. Certificates are awarded after each year. It should be noted that the grading is from zero to ten, with ten standing for the best and zero for the worst. In primary school, the pupils learn their first foreign language.

Educación Secundaria Obligatoria - Middle School

Between the ages of 12 and 16, students in Spain attend secondary school, which serves as the basis for vocational and high schools. During these four years, the young people can choose to take lessons in a second foreign language. After completing the ESO and thus compulsory schooling, there are two options. Either you attend the two-year upper school, which leads to the Bachillerato and thus to the university entrance qualification . Or you choose the Ciclo Formativo , the branch of vocational training.

The final exam to be taken at the end of the Bachillerato is popularly called selectividad (EBAU), Evaluación de Bachillerato de Acceso a la Universidad . Passing this is a basic requirement in order to obtain the higher education entrance qualification. In contrast to the Abitur in Germany, all subjects taught are examined with the exception of two elective subjects (8 to 9 exams). The numerus clausus is made up of the Selectivo grade and the two annual certificates from the Bachillerato.

If the ESO fails, the student can first attend a secondary vocational school as part of the Programa de Garantia Social , where basic knowledge is imparted. He then receives the authorization to attend the vocational training branch.

Formación Profesional - professional training

The vocational training branch provides training for all typical apprenticeships and takes place in special training centers. Sixty percent of the training is required nationwide, the rest is up to the decision of the respective autonomous region . After a theoretical school education, the practical experience is usually acquired in an internship of an average of 200 hours. The corresponding contracts are concluded between the training centers and the companies.

There are two different levels for the vocational training branch : the Ciclo Formativo de Grado Medio (CFGM), the basis of vocational training, and the Ciclo Formativo de Grado Superior (CFGS), the higher vocational training. Successful completion of the course leads to the title of técnico or técnico auxiliar . You can build on this in order to then achieve the title técnico superior , which offers the opportunity to study in the same subject. In Spain, thirty percent of university places are reserved for vocational branches.

Educación Superior - higher education

Academic training can be undertaken in Spain at the universities, the Escuelas Técnicas Superiores , the technical colleges, as well as at the Escuelas Universitarias , which roughly correspond to the German universities of applied sciences. There are also admission restrictions at Spanish universities. In addition, entrance exams have been compulsory since 1975. A division of studies into semesters is unknown in Spain, the study is divided into academic years. The academic year starts in October and ends in mid-June.

The academic training takes place in three stages. After three years you will achieve the diplomatura degree . You need another five years for the next level, which leads to the licenciatura . The doctorado is only reached after another two years in the third stage and the writing of a dissertation .

It should also be noted that in Spain, as in France, lessons are also given during the afternoon hours. This means that the children are offered lunch inside the school building. This is usually not very expensive. In addition, financially weaker parents can apply for a grant.

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