According to andyeducation, the educational system in Tunisia is highly developed and provides access to quality education at all levels. The Tunisian government is committed to providing free and compulsory education for all citizens, regardless of their age, gender or social status. The Tunisian educational system consists of four levels: primary, secondary, tertiary and informal education. Primary education in Tunisia is compulsory and free for children aged 6-14 years old. It consists of 4 stages: preparatory (ages 6-9), elementary (ages 9-11), middle (ages 11-13) and secondary (ages 13-14). Students are taught a variety of subjects including the Arabic language, math, science, history, geography and physical education. At the end of primary school students must pass an examination in order to be admitted into a secondary school. Secondary education in Tunisia consists of three stages: lower secondary (ages 14-16), upper secondary (ages 16-18) and post-secondary (ages 18+). At this level students may specialize in either academic or vocational studies depending on their interests and career aspirations. Academic studies are offered at both public and private institutions with the latter offering more rigorous curricula than the former. Vocational studies are offered mainly at technical schools which provide training in various fields such as engineering, medicine or law. Tertiary level education in Tunisia includes universities offering a range of professional degrees such as engineering, medicine or law as well as general degrees such as business administration or economics. Additionally there are several private universities operating throughout the country offering international standard courses at lower tuition fees than public institutions. In terms of informal education opportunities there are several government initiatives that provide basic literacy skills for those living in rural areas or who cannot access traditional schooling systems due to geographical distance or financial constraints. These initiatives focus on providing basic reading, writing and numeracy skills including basic mathematics concepts like addition and subtraction. Overall the educational system in Tunisia provides citizens with access to quality education regardless of their background or financial situation enabling them to pursue their dreams and become successful members of society. With its commitment towards providing free compulsory education for all its citizens along with its diverse cultural heritage it is no surprise that many people choose this vibrant nation when considering where they want to pursue their studies abroad. See educationvv for Tunisia educational systems.