Education in Spanish schools up to the age of 16 is free to all children resident in Spain.

School attendance is compulsory between the ages of 6 and 16, though children often attend state pre-school before the age of 6.

The families of children in state education are expected to pay the costs of school books which are only free in exceptional cases.

The exact guidelines under the most recent education system reform that began in 1991 and was gradaually introduced until 2000 are as follows:

1. Basic education is compulsory and free of charge, and is extended to the age of 16, the legal age for entering the work force.
2. The educational system includes special education as well as general education, so that different modes of education are adapted to suit students with special needs.
3. All students must have basic vocational training, which is provided in secondary schools. Vocational training is organized at two levels: the first at the end of compulsory secondary education, and the higher level following the bachillerato.
4. Improvement in the quality of teaching must be achieved via renewal of course content, improvement in human resources and material resources and better use of the educational system.
5. Religious instruction must be available and voluntary at all schools.
6. Special educational systems are set up for the arts and language learning.

For specific information about each age group, choose a category to the left.