The structure of the present Spanish educational system has been defined by the following laws:

1. Ley General de Educacion de 1970.
2. Constitution 1978. Articles 14, 16, 20, 23, 27.
3. Ley Organica 11/1983, de 25 de agosto, de Reforma Universitaria.
4. Ley Organica 8/1985, de 3 de julio, Reguladora del Derecho a la Educacion.
5. Ley Organica 1/1990, de 3 de octubre, de Ordenacion General del Sistema Educativo (LOGSE). (Law on the General Organization of the Educational System)

All regulations for education have been made in accordance with the Article 27 of the Spanish Constitution.

Article 27 of the Spanish Constitution 1978 reads:

1. Everyone is entitled to education. Freedom of instruction is recognized.
2. Education shall have as its objective the full development of the human character compatible with respect for the democratic principles of co-existence and for the basic rights and freedoms.
3. The public authorities guarantee the right of the parents to ensure that their children receive religious and moral instruction that is in accordance with their own convictions.
4. Elementary education is compulsory and free.
5. The public authorities guarantee the right of everyone to education, through general planning of education, with the effective participation of all parties concerned and the setting up of teaching establishments.
6. The right of individuals and legal entities to set up teaching establishments is recognized, provided they respect Constitutional principles.
7. Teachers, parents and, when appropriate, pupils, shall share in the control and management of all the centres maintained by the Administration out of public funds, under the terms to be laid down the law.
8. The public authorities shall inspect and standardize the educational system in order to garantee compliance with the law.
9. The public authorities shall give aid to teaching establishments which meet the requirements to be laid down by the law.
10. The autonomy of the Universities is recognized, under the terms to be laid down by the law.

For more information, please write or call to:

     MINISTERIO DE EDUCACION Y CIENCIA
     Calle Alcala, 34
     MADRID (Spain)

     Phone: 011 34 1 532 13 00

     or,

     Write to:
     Jose Felix Barrio
     Education Advisor

     EDUCATION OFFICE OF THE EMBASSY OF SPAIN
     350 Sparks Street, Suite 704
     OTTAWA, Ontario
     K1R 7S8

     Or call:

     Phone: (613) 237 0281
     Fax:   (613) 237 4205

     Or e-mail:

    
     [email protected]