Under the National Education Act, 12 years of free public schooling is guaranteed to all Thai citizens, with a 2002 amendment also guaranteeing two years of free preschool. Currently, the first nine years of primary and secondary education are compulsory, consisting of six years of primary education and three years of lower secondary (age six to 15). Students continuing beyond compulsory education complete a further three years of upper secondary education before entering the labor market or undertaking higher studies.