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1. System of education and its legał basis

The legał basis for the school education system in force is provided by the Act on the School

Education System ofthe 7^,h of September 1991, including later amendments,.

In accordance with the above-mentioned Act, the school education system comprises:

•    nursery schools, including integration divisions and special nursery schools;

•    primary schools, gymnasiums, generał and vocational post-gymnasium schools, including integration divisions, and special schools, sports schools, sports championship schools and schools of arts;

•    educational establishments, extra-school activity establishments, including artistic centres as well as continuing education and practical training establishments which offer possibilities to acquire and develop generał knowledge and professional/vocational qualifications, to acquire skills, to form and develop interests or abilities, and to take part in various leisure activities;

•    psychological and educational guidance services and other specialist services which provide children, young people, parents and teachers with psychological and educational support, and which guide pupils in their choice of study options and an occupation;

•    educational and correctional education establishments which organise care and education for children and young people entirely or partially deprived of parental care, and other establishments responding to the needs in the area of support and care for children and young people;

•    adoption and care centres which initiate and support various substitute forms of family education;

•    voluntary labour corps;

•    initial and in-service teacher training institutions and establishments;

•    educational libraries.

This study covers only the establishments referred to in the first two components of the school

education system.

Until the end of the school year 1998/99, the school education system was organised within the

following structure:

•    nursery schools,

•    8-year (compulsory) primary schools,

•    post-primary schools:

•    3-year basie vocational schools,

•    4-year generał secondary schools (średnia szkoła ogólnokształcąca),

•    vocational secondary schools

•    4-year technical and vocational secondary school,

•    5-year technical vocational school, lyceums and equivalent schools,

•    2-2,5-year post-secondary schools (including schools which require only the certificate of completion of secondary education, and those where the reguirement for gaining access is the maturity certificate).

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