Primary education

Primary education is compulsory and free for all children from 6 to 15 years of age, and for children with more pronounced developmental disabilities, up to 21 years of age maximum

It lasts for at least eight years, and its aim is to enable the pupil to acquire knowledge in accordance with their capabilities and preferences. As a parent, you have the right to choose the type, form and methods of primary education
During their primary education, your child will acquire basic (general educational) competences for the continuation of education and life-long learning in the changing social-cultural context, in accordance with the requirements of market economy, contemporary information-communication technologies and scientific knowledge and findings.
 
In the education system of the Republic of Croatia, a parallel primary art education is also possible in addition to the regular primary education.
 
The primary art education can be in the areas of music and dance, and the right to attend the first grade of the primary art school can be realised by children who, as a rule, turned seven, i.e., nine years of age and satisfied the criteria prescribed by the art education curriculum.
 
The primary education in music is carried out in accordance with the primary art education curriculum and the plan and programme in the duration of six years, while the primary education in dance is carried out in accordance with the primary art education curriculum and the plan and programme in the duration of four years.

Parent's choice 

As a parent, you have the right to choose the type, form and methods of your child's primary education. You can decide whether you will enrol your child in a primary school established by the local or regional self-government unit or in a private school, i.e., a school that carries out regular programmes, alternative, special or international programmes.
 
It is important to know that all schools carry out their programmes based on the established education plans and programmes or curricula approved by the Ministry of Education and Science. 

Regular and special programmes

The education plan and programme can be regular or special.
 
Special programmes refer to the education of children with developmental disabilities and to alternative education programmes, such as the Waldorf education programme or Montessori education method, but also to programmes in the language and script of national minorities. Your child can also acquire primary education in music and dance according to a special programme.