Education in Bijan

Education in Bijan is mandatory for all children aged 5–16. The school year in Bijan runs from late January to early December.

Education today
The Bijani school system can be divided into three parts: primary school (elementa lernejo, ages 5–11), lower secondary school (suba mezlernejo, ages 11–15), and upper secondary school (supra mezlernejo, ages 15–18). Elementary and lower secondary school are mandatory for all children ages 5–16. Before 1997, the mandatory education in Bijan started at the age of seven. Students almost always have to change schools when moving between the levels, as most schools only offer one of the levels.

Primary school
In the first year of primary school (J1), the students spend most of their time playing educational games, learning social structures, the alphabet, basic addition and subtraction, and basic foreign language skills (usually English, less often Spanish, French, German or Russian). In years two through six (J2–J6), they are introduced to mathematics, Esperanto, English, science, religions, aesthetics and gymnastics, complemented by geography, history and the social studies beginning in the fourth year (J4). No official grades are given at this level, however, the teacher often writes comments, analysis and sometimes an unofficial grade on tests. Tests are to be taken home and shown to parents. There is also an introductory test to inform teachers of students who would benefit from advanced placement or assisted learning services.

Lower secondary school
When students enter lower secondary school at age 11 or 12, they begin getting grades for their work. Their grades together with their location in the country will determine whether the get accepted into their high school of choice or not. From year seven (J7) onward, students can choose an elective. Typical subjects the students are offered are foreign languages (German, French, Spanish, Russian, as well as additional English and Esperanto studies). Since 2007, students are allowed two electives.

Upper secondary school
Upper secondary school (akin to high school) lasts three years. Prior to 1997, upper secondary was optional, but changes to society and law have made it largely unavoidable in practice. Secondary education in Bijan takes place primarily in public schools; in 2007, 93% of upper secondary school students attended public schools. Prior to 1997, there were three branches of upper secondary schooling: general, mercantile and vocational studies. These were merged into a single system to give all students more access to all three branches.