Basque Country Education System and Language Models

The Basque Country and Its Educational Landscape

The Basque Country is located in the north of Spain, bordering France. It is composed of seven provinces: four are part of Spain (Alava, Biscay, Gipuzkoa, and Navarre) and the other three are on the French side (Labourd, Basse Navarre, and Soule). The population of the Basque Country is approximately 2,166,184 (2015) inhabitants. Regarding the educational sector, there are two types of schools: state and private schools. In the following sections, we will discuss these and more specific aspects of this educational system, including multiculturalism, multilingualism, and good practices.

State Schools and the Role of Ikastolas

On one hand, the primary difference between a state school and private schools is the financing. In the Basque Country, 60% of students attend state schools, which are financed by the government. We also have Ikastolas in the Basque Country. These kinds of schools are considered private schools. Ikastolas were created in the 1960s by parents' associations who wanted their children to receive an education in the Basque language after Franco’s dictatorship and the previous prohibition of the language.

Language Models: A, B, D, and G/X

When children enroll in a school, four different linguistic models are offered:

• Model A: All subjects are taught in Spanish, except for Basque, which is taken as a specific subject.
• Model B: Approximately half of the subjects are in Basque and the other half are in Spanish.
• Model D: All subjects are in Basque, except for the Spanish language subject.
• Model G or X: The entirety of the subjects are taught in Spanish (in Spain) or French (in France).

Educational Cycles and Stages

The Basque Country education system is currently divided into several cycles:

• Pre-school education
• Primary education
• Secondary education
• Vocational education
• Higher education
• Adult education

Pre-school Education (Ages 0 to 6)

Pre-school education is for children between 0 and 6 years old. This stage is divided into two different cycles: the first from 0 to 3 years, and the second from 3 to 6 years. It is designed to contribute to the development of pupils in various ways: physical, intellectual, emotional, social, and moral.

Primary Education (Ages 6 to 12)

Secondly, primary education covers the period from 6 to 12 years. In this stage, there are three different cycles with specific objectives: to facilitate the acquisition of basic cultural elements, receptive and productive oral and written skills, arithmetic, and an increasing autonomy of action. At this age, the Basque language is typically taught between three and a half to four hours a week.