Transforming education: the power of ICT policies - Commonwealth ...

Figure 5 shows a diagram containing the main institutions of the Uruguayan Education System, as well as the
relationships between them.
Figure 5: Structure of Uruguayan Education System
Sources: Poder Legislativo, 2008; UNESCO-IBE, 2006; Verocai and Marroig, 2003
Nomenclature
MEC (Ministry of Education and Culture)
ANEP (National Administration of Public Education)
UDELAR (University of the Republic)
CODICEN (Central Directive Council):
CEIP (Council for Initial and Primary Education)
CEM Bás. (Council for Basic Secondary Education)
CEM Sup. (Council for Upper Secondary Education)
CETP/UTU (Council for Technical and Professional
Education)
134 | Transforming Education: The Power of ICT Policies
INEE (National Institute for Educational Assessment)
COMINE (National Commission of Education)
CCEPI (Commission for the Coordination of the First Childhood
Education)
CNENF (National Commission for Non Formal Education)
DFPD (Teacher Training and Professional Development
Department)
IUDE (University Education Institute)
ITS (Higher Tertiary Institute)
Education in Uruguay is structured across four levels: initial, primary, secondary and tertiary (university or not).
Education is compulsory from age 5 to 14, comprising the last preschool year, the primary and the basic secondary
levels. Secondary studies are composed of two stages or sub-levels: a basic level, with a common three-year plan;
and an upper level consisting of a three-year baccalaureate or technical professional courses (ranging from two
to seven years). The bachelor offers three basic orientations: biologic, scientifi c and humanist, each one of them
diversifi es in two options during the last year (before higher education studies). There is only one public and offi cial
university (University of the Republic), and access to public higher education is free and unrestricted. Table 4 shows
the education levels, institutional responsibility, the number of years and its character.