Official description of the Colombian education-system structure.
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Education in Colombia
SYSTEM2025
Primary 5 grades 路 basic secondary 4 grades 路 upper secondary 2 grades
Colombia's Ministry of National Education describes the school sequence as initial education, pre-school, basic education and upper secondary education. Basic education contains five primary grades and four secondary grades, followed by two grades of educaci贸n media leading to the bachiller qualification.
Primary
5 grades
Basic secondary
4 grades
Upper secondary
2 grades
Enrollment source
SIMAT
Colombia Education System
| Stage / measure | Structure or value | Current interpretation |
|---|---|---|
| Educaci贸n inicial | Early education | Before formal school sequence |
| Preescolar | Pre-school | Before basic education |
| B谩sica primaria | 5 grades | Primary part of basic education |
| B谩sica secundaria + media | 4 + 2 grades | Secondary sequence |
Five primary grades
The Ministry defines basic primary education as five grades. It forms the first part of educaci贸n b谩sica, followed by four grades of basic secondary education.
Four grades of basic secondary
B谩sica secundaria contains four grades. Together, the five primary and four basic-secondary grades form the nine-grade basic education sequence described by the Ministry.
Two grades of educaci贸n media
After basic education, educaci贸n media lasts two grades and culminates in the bachiller title. It is distinct from higher education and should not be merged with tertiary enrollment measures.
How enrollment is recorded
The Ministry states that SIMAT administrative records form the official source for pre-school, basic and upper-secondary enrollment statistics. This page does not quote a national enrollment total without a directly verified reference value.
Frequently Asked Questions
How many grades are in Colombian primary education?
Five.
How many grades are in basic secondary education?
Four.
How long is educaci贸n media?
Two grades.
What qualification completes educaci贸n media?
The bachiller title.
What system records school enrollment?
SIMAT.
Does this page show an unverified national enrollment total?
No.
Sources and Methodology
Official description of SIMAT as the administrative source for school enrollment.