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Education in Uruguay

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Education in Uruguay is compulsory and free. They have a history of having a high literacy rank, reaching to about 96%, because the rigid laws of mandating compulsory schooling to all children. Education usually starts at age six until the age of fourteen.

All Uruguayan children are mandatory by law to enter school at age six. From age six to twelve, they attend primary school. At age twelve, they enter the first stage of secondary school, which lasts for two years. During this time, they will learn the basics, like Language, Mathematics, Science, and History.

When Uruguayans reached the age of 15, they may choose different tracks, depending on their choice of career. For three to four years, students will need to complete the bachellerito, which is comparable to a high school diploma in the United States. After they finish the bachellerito, students may then continue their education either to one of the country's three universities or attend special institutes related to their specific interests. Length of study in the university is anywhere between four to six years.

Although studying at the public university is free, it is usually the students from middle and upper class family who can afford to study. It is mainly because there are other expenses involve like books, housing, food allowance, and other miscellaneous school expenses. In the recent years, the numbers of the students attending the university continue to grow and it was observed that there are more women than men pursuing university studies.