333- Identity: the
building blocks of
2. Literature
and philosophy
3. Art and
architecture
4. Performing
arts
5. Cinema
and fashion
6. Media and
communications
7. Food and drink 8. Living culture:
the details of
Tolerance has been the watchword, although recent
national history isn’t pondered in great detail – Spain’s
wider reticence about digging up the past no doubt
seeps into education. Out in the regions, educational
authorities in theTransiciónwere given some freedom
in teaching their own account of ‘national’ history: each
came up with a slightly different spin.How does the Spanish schooling system break down?
Pre-school(three to six years). Not compulsory – more
like cheap childcare in fact – although some 90 per cent
of children attend by the age of five. As much an
introduction to the Spanish love of group activities as
anything academic.Primary(six to 12 years). Compulsory education split
into three two-year cycles. At present the school day is
cleft in two by a three-hour break, but there are moves
to create a single session, from 8.15am to 2.30pm, in
line with the secondary system.Secondary(12 to 16 years). Students who do well in
the two cycles of secondary school, lasting two years
a piece, come away with aGraduado en Educación
Secundaria Obligatoria(GESO) certificate that lines
them up for more study, either academic or vocational.
Those who don’t do so well get a certificate of school
attendance and join the job queue.Further education(16 to 18 years).The Spanish
equivalent of A-levels or the FrenchBacis the two-year
bachillerato. Some take a less academic route into
vocational training that blends theory and practice.
Most children take thebachilleratoin the school where
they studied for their GESO.Something for nothing
Spain enjoys a 70/30
split of state (termed
‘public’) and private
schools, with the free
sort taking up the lion’s
share. State education is
almost exclusively co-ed
and free of fees. Parents
are generally expected to
stump up for books and
stationery, although
rarely have to pay for
uniforms – most schools
don’t have one. Spain’s
private schools have
traditionally been run
largely by the Catholic
Church, and so it remains
today.Groundhog day
for slackers
Comprehensive testing is
undertaken at all levels
of compulsory education
and while studying for
thebachillerato. The
lucky kids can expect
about five tests a year in
each subject throughout
much of their school life.
Failure – or insufficient
progress – results in
having to repeat a year.