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EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN ANDORRA


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. The Andorran educational system is pluralistic. It consists of an Andorran system, a Spanish system, a French system and a private English system (Elians).There is also a church-controlled system that neither financially nor institutionally depends on the Spanish system (it is financed by the Andorran state), but offers the same educational programme.

Pupils by education system

School year	1991/92	1992/93	1993/94	1994/95	1995/96	1996/97	1997/98	1998/99	1999/00
Andorran	903	1021	1230	1353	1541	1785	1889	2030	2180
French	3625	3653	3633	3610	3580	3626	3662	3596	3586
Spanish	4686	4592	4343	4150	3977	3933	3721	3652	3510
Total	9214	9266	9206	9113	9098	9344	9272	9278	9276

 

Development of the number of pupils by education system

 

. School attendance amounts to 100%, as education in three of the systems - Andorran, Spanish and French - is compulsory and free until the age of 16. Only the private English school charges frees.

. The educational system has three distinct levels : kindergarten, primary school and secondary school (comprehensive and grammar school).

. The educational system also contains a special branch for vocational training, specialised education and adult education.
There is also an infrastructure in place for higher education. ( A training college for nurses, a college for information technology, and the Virtual University of Andorra.)

1) See here for a list of schools:

Vocational and higher education
Pre-school, primary and secondary education


2) School holidays 2002-2003

. Beginning of the school year : 10 September 2002
. All Saints: from Saturday 26 October to Sunday 3 November 2002 (both dates included).
. Armistice Day (Only observed in the French system) : 11 November 2002.
. Immaculate Conception: 8 December 2002.
. Christmas : from Saturday 21 December 2002 to Sunday 5 January 2003 (both dates included).
. Mardi Gras : from Saturday 1st March 2003 to Sunday 9 March 2003 (both dates included).
. Constitution Day: Friday 14 March 2003
. Easter : from Saturday 14 April 2003 to Sunday 27 April 2003 (both dates included).
. Labour Day : Thursday 1 May 2003
. Whitsun : 9 June 2003
. End of the school year : Saturday 28 June 2003

In addition another holiday will be determined independently by each of the educational systems.

Each school also celebrates the feast day of its parish - "parròquia" -.


3) Free courses in Catalan

Adult education includes a programme for free courses in Catalan, dealing with both the spoken and the written language and enabling participants to improve their knowledge of Andorran culture and the country's social and political background.
This programme facilitates the integration of new residents in the Principality of Andorra.

The courses in Catalan are given during the equivalent of one school year, i.e. from September to January or from March to June. They are available in all the parishes of the Principality and are taught by qualified teachers. Students should enrol at the Department in charge :

Department of Education, Youth and Sport
Avinguda Meritxell, 80. Edifici Crédit Center
Andorra la Vella
Tel. : (00 376) 866 585

Office Hours: from 9:00 to 17:30.