According to andyeducation, the educational system in Nicaragua is composed of both public and private institutions. The Ministry of Education is responsible for regulating and overseeing the public school system, which covers primary, secondary, and post-secondary education. Public schools are free to attend, with some exceptions such as textbooks or other materials. Primary education in Nicaragua is compulsory for children between the ages of 6 and 12. It consists of six years of study divided into two cycles: lower cycle (grades 1-3) and upper cycle (grades 4-6). During this time, students learn Spanish language arts, mathematics, science, social studies, physical education, technology and art. Secondary education in Nicaragua is also divided into two cycles: basic secondary (grades 7-9) and advanced secondary (grades 10-12). During this time students can choose to specialize in either academic or technical fields such as agriculture, business administration or engineering. In addition to core subjects like math and language arts, students may also take courses in history, geography, chemistry and physics depending on their chosen field of study. Post-secondary options include universities as well as technical schools offering associate degrees or certificates in various disciplines. In order to gain admission to university programs applicants must have a high school diploma or equivalent plus pass an entrance exam known as the ENES (Examen Nacional de Estudios Superiores). Universities offer degree programs in a wide range of disciplines including law, medicine, engineering and more. Technical schools offer programs that focus on practical skills such as mechanics or computing. In addition to traditional educational institutions there are also a number of adult education centers that provide literacy classes for adults who did not finish primary school as well as vocational training courses for those wishing to gain new skills or update existing ones. These centers are often run by NGOs with support from the government or international organizations like UNESCO. Overall the educational system in Nicaragua provides access to quality learning opportunities at all levels from primary through post-secondary education with plenty of choice available depending on individual interests and needs. See educationvv for Nicaragua educational systems.
