According to andyeducation, the educational system in Panama is a comprehensive system that provides access to quality education for all its citizens. The country has a free primary school system which is compulsory for all children between the ages of 6 and 18. Primary schools are divided into two cycles, the first cycle consists of preschool and kindergarten and the second cycle consists of grades one through six. After completing primary school, students can then enroll in either a public or private secondary school where they can pursue either a general academic track or one that focuses on specific areas such as science & technology or business & economics. In addition to traditional classroom instruction during this stage of education there are also vocational programs available for those who wish to pursue a career in a particular field such as carpentry or plumbing after completing their secondary school studies. Higher education in Panama is provided by several universities including University of Panama, Technological University of Panama, Santa María La Antigua Catholic University, Latin American University of Science and Technology, National Institute of Culture (INAC) among others. These institutions offer undergraduate degrees in various fields such as business administration, computer science & engineering civil engineering & architecture among others. Additionally some universities offer graduate degrees such as master’s degrees in business administration or doctorates in engineering & applied sciences among other programs. Panama also has several technical institutes which provide technical training and certification programs related to specific areas such as hospitality management, industrial mechanics and electronics, among others. These institutes are often used by students who want to gain more specialized knowledge without having to complete an entire degree program at one of the universities mentioned above. Overall the educational system in Panama provides citizens with access to quality educational opportunities regardless of their financial situation or background due to its free primary schooling system which helps promote social mobility within society while also giving students access to higher education institutions which can help them gain skills necessary for certain careers after completing their studies. See educationvv for Panama educational systems.
