General education consists of: 1. Primary education is conducted in five years of schooling, from the first to the fifth grade. The age of commencement to the first class is six; 2. Lower secondary education is conducted in four years of schooling, from the sixth to the ninth grade. Pupils entering the sixth grade must complete the primary educational programme, at the age of eleven; 3. Upper secondary education is conducted in three years of schooling, from the tenth to the twelfth grade. Pupils entering the tenth grade must have a Lower Secondary Education Diploma, at the age of fifteen.