Public schools in Spain are generally funded by the government and offer free education to students. The curriculum is determined by the Ministry of Education, and classes are conducted predominantly in Spanish.
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Public schools in Spain are a vital part of the Spanish education system, offering free education to students from the ages of six to sixteen. These schools are funded and regulated by the Spanish government, and the curriculum is set centrally by the Ministry of Education.
In terms of structure, Spanish public schools are divided into different stages, each with their own curriculum objectives and goals. These stages include:
- Infant – ages three to six
- Primary – ages six to twelve
- Secondary – ages twelve to sixteen
Classes are almost always conducted in Spanish, though some schools may offer additional language classes or courses in other languages.
According to the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD), in 2018, Spain invested around 4.2% of its GDP in education, which is slightly above the OECD average of 4.1%. The OECD also notes that the country has seen significant improvements in student performance and literacy in recent years.
However, as with any education system, there are challenges. According to a report by Spain’s education ministry, one of the main issues facing public schools is the high rate of school abandonment, with around one in four students leaving school before completing their studies. This is partly due to the high poverty rate in some areas of the country, which can make it difficult for students to keep up with school expenses.
Despite these challenges, Spanish public schools continue to play a crucial role in educating the country’s youth. As novelist Orhan Pamuk once said, “Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world,” and Spain’s public schools are certainly doing their part in this regard.
| Stage | Age Range | Curriculum Objectives |
|---|---|---|
| Infant | 3-6 | Socialization, language development, creative expression |
| Primary | 6-12 | Core subjects, physical education, social development |
| Secondary | 12-16 | Specialization, preparation for university/professional life |
There are other points of view available on the Internet
State/public primary schools in Spain. Public primary education is popular: Spain has nearly 14,000 public schools. State schools have, on average, 21 students per class, which is in line with other OECD countries. Tuition is free, but there are often extra costs, such as textbooks and school trips.
School in Spain is compulsory and free for children aged 6 to 16. It consists of two stages: primary school (6–12 years old) and secondary school (12–16 years old). Primary school aims to give students a common, solid education in culture, oral expression, reading, writing, and math. Secondary school prepares students for higher education or vocational training. School hours vary depending on the school, but some have a two-hour lunch break and others end at 2 p.m..
The education system in Spain comprises four stages: Infant school (Escuela Infantil): ages 0 to 6 Primary education ( Educación Primaria): ages 6 to 12 Obligatory secondary education (Educación Secundaria Obligtoria): ages 12 to 16 University preparation (Bachillerato) or vocational training (formación profesional):
In Spain, primary school or colegio is made up of six academic school years; students are between the ages of 6 and 12. The objective is to give Spanish students a common, solid education in culture, oral expression, reading, writing, and math. What is education like in Spain? The Spanish education system is compulsory
In Spain, it’s compulsory for children to be in education from the ages of six to sixteen. State education is free and there are primary schools ( escuelas) in virtually every village and secondary schools (institutos) in most towns. Primary schooling (primaria) lasts six years, and is followed by four years of compulsory
In Spain, primary school and secondary school are considered basic (obligatory) education. These are Primaria (6–12 years old), which is the Spanish equivalent of elementary school and the first year of middle school, and Secundaria (12–16 years old), which would be a mixture of the last two years of middle school and the
In Spain, primary school or colegio is made up of six academic school years; students are between the ages of 6 and 12. The objective is to give Spanish students a common, solid education in culture, oral expression, reading, writing, and math. In general, the teaching methodology focuses on students’ cognitive and
Video answer to “What are public schools like in Spain?”
This YouTube video discusses public schools in Spain, detailing the different types of schools and the advantages and disadvantages of attending a public school. While public schools are free and available everywhere, they may not offer strong language education or modern IT systems, and they often lack proper facilities. Teachers expect foreign children to have the same knowledge of language as Spanish children, and parents cannot choose the exact school for their child. However, public schools can provide a convenient option for families, especially since transportation is not an issue, and parents can find good public schools with everything necessary for their child’s education.
I’m sure you’ll be interested
Does Spain have good public education?
The reply will be: Spain’s school system is overall considered to be very good. Spain has public, private (colegios privados), and semi-private (colegios concertados) schools, that enjoy an overall good reputation in terms of education.
Also question is, How is school in Spain different from the United States?
Answer will be: You may wonder what some of the main differences are: Students remain in the same classroom and the teachers are the ones who switch classrooms. The subject English means English as a Second Language and not the English class American students receive in the US. US history is not a subject taught in Spain.
Likewise, How are Spain schools similar to US schools?
There are also several similarities between Spanish vs American schools. For example; there are separate classrooms per grade, with a teacher instructing. The school day usually consists of various subjects, with breaks or recess. When it comes to numbers, well they are still numbers.
In this regard, Does Spain have a public school system? As a response to this: Public schools in Spain
Although compulsory public education is free, students still have to pay for school materials such as school uniforms and books. Public schools follow a curriculum created by the Ministry of Education and Vocational Training (MEFP) and the regional educational authorities.
What is education like in Spain?
In Spain, primary school or colegio is made up of six academic school years; students are between the ages of 6 and 12. The objective is to give Spanish students a common, solid education in culture, oral expression, reading, writing, and math.
How do international schools work in Spain?
You can read more about this in our Guide to international schools in Spain. When students in Spain finish compulsory education, they receive the Título de Graduado en Educación Secundaria Obligatoria (GESO). As long as they pass mathematics and Spanish (or the co-official language), they can then graduate with all but two of their chosen subjects.
What is a primary school in Spain?
The reply will be: In Spain, primary school or colegio is made up of six academic school years; students are between the ages of 6 and 12. The objective is to give Spanish students a common, solid education in culture, oral expression, reading, writing, and math. In general, the teaching methodology focuses on students’ cognitive and social development.
How do I Choose an appropriate school in Spain?
In reply to that: There are many considerations to take into account when choosing an appropriate school in Spain, not least the language of study. The only schools in Spain using English as the teaching language are foreign and international private schools. A number of multilingual international schools also teach pupils in the English and Spanish languages.