Barbados Education System

There are 68 Government primary schools, 4 special schools, 12 nursery schools and 21 secondary schools. Nursery schools admit students from 31/2 years. Most government primary schools as co-educational.

Primary education begins at age 4 and continues until age 11, when students sit the Barbados Secondary School Entrance Examination (BSSEE) and transition to secondary school. There are no school fees at public primary schools.

Secondary education is provided for children ages 11 to 18 years. At age 16, students write the Caribbean Examination Council (CXC) examinations Caribbean Secondary Entrance Certificate (CSEC) - the equivalent of GCE O-Levels. At about age 18, those students who continue at school can sit the CXC- Caribbean Advanced Proficiency Certificate (A-Level). Most Government secondary schools are co-educational. There is a small book fees at all secondary schools since text books are subsidized.

There are also several private schools. 16 at the nursery level, 27 primary, 10 secondary and 5 special. Schools fees are required at the private schools.

Attached is the list of all public and private schools and their contact information.