According to andyeducation, Bolivia’s educational system is highly decentralized. This means that the government has devolved a great deal of responsibility to the country’s departments, provinces and municipalities. Education is managed by each department according to its own laws, regulations and policies. The national government provides some funding and guidance but the majority of decision-making authority lies with local authorities. The Bolivian educational system consists of pre-school, primary school, secondary school and higher education. Pre-school is available for children aged three to six years old, although it is not compulsory. Primary school covers grades one through nine and is compulsory for all children between the ages of seven and fourteen. Secondary school covers grades ten through twelve and is also compulsory for all students between the ages of fourteen and eighteen. Higher education consists of technical schools, universities and professional certification programs such as medicine or law degrees. The Bolivian educational system also includes several specialized programs aimed at providing access to quality education for disadvantaged populations such as rural communities or indigenous groups. These programs include initiatives such as bilingual education in rural areas or alternative learning models such as distance learning or online courses in remote areas without access to traditional schools. The Bolivian government has also implemented several initiatives aimed at increasing access to postsecondary education, including scholarships and loan programs for students from low-income families or scholarships specifically designed for indigenous students who are looking to pursue higher education opportunities outside their home communities. See educationvv for Bolivia educational systems.
