Figure 1.--Gere we see an Uruguayam class room. Notice the caracteristic white smocks and blue bows.

Uruguay has done a very good job at providing basic education to its entire population. Schools in Uruguay are both free and compulsory for all children aged 6 to 14 years of age. The country has for years achieved very high levels of compliance with required primary education. There is also a large number of the primary students who go on to enroll in secondary school. The result is that Uruguay holds an impressive position within Latin America for its high literacy rate of approximately 96 percent. And if functional literacy is taken into account may outrank the United States. Uruguayan children are required by law to begin primary school wgen they are 6 years old. Primary school is a 5 year program. There are no uniforms in the public schools, but the primary school children wear white smocks with big blue bows. The bows are not very popular with the boys. We believe that private schools may have uniforms. At age 12 years the children enter the first level of secondary school. This last level like primary school is compulsory and is a 2 year program. The curriculum deals with the basics, language, mathematics, sciences, and history. Compulsory attendances ends at age 15 years. Uruguayan students can leave school or choose several advanced secondary tracks, depending on their ideas about their vocation and educational future. This involved secondary educational tracks lasting 3-4 years. Students complete the bachellerito, which is similar to an American high school diploma. At this point the graduates can find jobs or continye their education. There are three universities. There are also special institutes offering training in specific disciplines with interest the students. Class room instruction is in Spanish. Secondary schools commonly offer Englih and Portuguese foreign language classes. Universities offer other European langage courses. Unfortunately Uruguayan students rank very poorly in unternational asessments. While Uruguay is near the top of Latin America countries in scholastic achiecement, Uruguay and the rest of Lastin America is near the bottom in international comparisons.

Careful, clicking on these will exit you from the Boys' Historical Clothing web site, but several are highly recommended

• Apertures Press New Zealand book: New book on New Zealand schools available
• British Preparatory Schools: A photographic book depicting life at British preparatory schools during the 1980s. Most of the schools are English or Scottish, but schools in Italy, New Zealand, South Africa, and Ulster are also included. The pictures show the uniforms worn at many different schools.

Related Style Pages in the Boys' Historical Web Site
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Created: 11:03 PM 3/6/2017
Last updated: 11:03 PM 3/6/2017