Official policy with the 2023/24 school-network count and 2021 education trend values.
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Education in Suriname
DATAEducation profile
Education profile 路 Reference periods shown
Suriname's National Education Policy reports 597 schools in the 2023/24 school year and about 30 higher-education institutes. Its directly cited trend series gives 79,827 primary pupils and 36,873 lower-secondary pupils in 2021. Suriname is treated as a mixed-currentness page: the 2023/24 school network is current to the policy, while the directly exposed pupil counts are older 2021 trend values.
Suriname education snapshot
Suriname is treated as a mixed-currentness page: the 2023/24 school network is current to the policy, while the directly exposed pupil counts are older 2021 trend values.
Schools
597
Higher-education institutes
About 30
Primary pupils
79,827
Lower-secondary pupils
36,873
* Reference years and benchmark labels are shown with the figures.
How the education pathway works
The stage map reflects primary, secondary and higher pathways described in the national education policy.
| Stage | When | What it means |
|---|---|---|
| Primary education | Primary | Primary education precedes lower-secondary study. |
| Basic secondary education | Lower secondary | Lower-secondary education follows primary school. |
| General and vocational routes | Upper secondary | Upper-secondary study includes general and vocational pathways. |
| Higher institutes and university study | Higher education | Higher education follows secondary or equivalent qualifications. |
Key evidence
The 597-school figure and about 30 higher-education institutes come from the 2023/24 policy description; the pupil counts are older 2021 trend values and remain clearly dated.
| Measure | Value | Year | Scope |
|---|---|---|---|
| Schools | 597 | 2023/24 | General through secondary network |
| Higher-education institutes | About 30 | 2023/24 policy | Higher-education level |
| Primary pupils | 79,827 | 2021 | Primary education |
| Lower-secondary pupils | 36,873 | 2021 | Former VOJ level |
* Reference years and benchmark labels are shown with the figures.
How to read the Suriname evidence
The 597 schools cover the Ministry network described from general through secondary education, while about 30 institutes refers to higher education.
The 79,827 primary and 36,873 lower-secondary pupil counts are historical 2021 values cited in the policy trend section, not 2023/24 or 2026 enrolment totals.
Frequently asked questions
How many schools does Suriname's national policy report for 2023/24?
The policy reports 597 schools from general through secondary education.
How many higher-education institutes does the policy describe?
It states that there are about 30 institutes at higher-education level.
What primary pupil count is cited in the policy trend series?
The policy reports 79,827 primary pupils in 2021.
What lower-secondary pupil count is cited?
The policy reports 36,873 pupils at the formerly named VOJ level in 2021.
Sources and methodology
The national policy directly supports every numerical headline; the Ministry document catalogue confirms the policy within the current publication set.
Current Ministry document catalogue including the national policy and 2025/26 publications.
Methodology: Suriname's 2023/24 network counts and 2021 trend-series pupil counts remain separate; no newer learner total is inferred.