Compulsory education in Europe

In its essence and its objectives the compulsory education makes the basis of the formal structure of the system of education meaning the education that is a formal obligation for children of certain age. What is common to almost all countries is the fact that compulsory education is mainly of general character. The duration varies from country to country and depends on the school system and the preconditions for massive education. The compulsory education as always had the aim to ensure to all pupils of certain ages the elementary knowledge and abilities necessary for their social and working incorporation into community. The changes in the society, however, especially in this last decade of the XX century, imposed new requirements to compulsory education. Hence some changes and/or reforms in the curriculum in the compulsory education.