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Education Profiles
- Education Overview
EDUCATION OVERVIEW
- Administration and Finance
- Education in Colombia is under the jurisdiction of the Ministerio de
- Educación Nacional (Ministry of National Education), which sets the standards for both public and private education at all levels.The Columbian government finances 85% of elementary education, 60% of secondary education and 40% of higher education.
- Size
- In 1992 there were 375,951 students attending preschool. 4,386,398 students attending elementary school. 2,425,496 students attending secondary schools and 475,000 students enrolled in higher education.
- Structure
- Education in Colombia is divided into the following categories:
- Preschool Education (Educación Preescolar)
- Elementary Education (Educación Primaria)
- Secondary Education (Educación Media)
- Higher Education (Educación Superior)
- Private and Public Education
- Private schools are an important part of the Colombian educational system. They are primarily operated by various religious and private sector organizations
- Academic Year
- There are two academic calendars: "A" and "B". Calendar "A" is used by most of the country and is divided into two cycles or semesters.
- The first semester lasts 18 weeks, beginning in February and ending in June. The second semester lasts 20 weeks, beginning in July and ending in November. Calendar "B" is used in the southern states of Valle, Cauca, Nariño and Putumayo.
- The first semester of calendar "B" begins in September and ends in December. The second semester begins in January and ends in June. Both calendars follow a 198-day school year.
- Teacher Education
- Elementary Education
- Preschool and elementary school teachers are trained at the secondary level, escuelas normales (normal schools). Upon completion of the programme, students are awarded the title of Bachiller Pedagógico (Pedagogical Bachelor).
- Secondary Education
- Secondary school teachers are trained at universities. The programme of study incorporates curricular specialization as well as educational training. Upon completion of the programme, the title of Licenciado (Licentiate) is awarded.