2.2 Levels of Education
2.2.1 Basic Education
In 2002, in accordance with the National Education Act,
12 years of free basic education was made available to students
throughout the country for the first time.
Basic education covers pre-primary education, six
years of primary, three years of lower secondary, and three years
of upper secondary education. The current compulsory education
requirement covers six years of primary and three years of lower
secondary education. Children are expected to be enrolled in basic
education institutions from age seven through the age of 16, except
for those who have already completed Grade Nine. Basic education
is provided before higher education by the following institutions:
- Early childhood development institutions i.e. childcare
centres, child development centres, initial care centres for disabled
children or those with special needs and early childhood development
centres operated by religious institutions or by other agencies