View source for Compulsory education

{{short description|Period of education required for a person}}
{{Redirect-distinguish|Mass education|Masseduction}}
[[File:CompulsoryEdMap.svg|thumb|500px|Years of compulsory education or compulsory schooling around the world in 2021:
{{legend|#001289|>12}}
{{legend|#00ecff|10–12}}
{{legend|#ffae00|7–9}}
{{legend|#ff0000|<7}}
{{legend|white|No data}}]]
'''Compulsory education''' refers to a period of [[education]] that is required of all people and is imposed by the [[government]]. This education may take place at a registered [[school]] or [[Homeschooling|at home or other places]].

'''Compulsory''' '''school''' '''attendance''' or '''compulsory schooling''' means that parents are obliged to send their children to a state-approved school.<ref>{{Cite journal |date=1875 |title=Compulsory Education |journal=New England Journal of Education |volume=1 |issue=5 |pages=52 |jstor=44763565}}</ref>

All countries except [[Bhutan]], [[Papua New Guinea]], [[Solomon Islands]], and [[Vatican City]] have compulsory education laws.

== Purpose ==
During the late 18th and early 19th centuries, most schools in the [[United States]] did not mandate regular attendance. In many areas, students attended school for no more than three to four months out of the year.<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Shammas |first1=Carole |title=The Extent and Duration of Primary Schooling in Eighteenth-Century America |journal=History of Education Quarterly |date=May 2023 |volume=63 |issue=2 |page=1-23 |doi=10.1017/heq.2023.12|doi-access=free }}</ref> 

At the start of the 20th century, the purpose of compulsory education was to master physical skills which are necessary and can be contributed to the [[nation]].{{cn|date=July 2023}} It also instilled values of [[ethics]] and social [[communication]]s abilities in teenagers, and it would allow [[Immigration|immigrants]] to fit in the unacquainted society of a new country.<ref>{{Cite journal |last=Niece |first=Richard |date=1983 |title=Compulsory Education: Milestone or Millstone? |journal=The High School Journal |volume=67 |issue=1 |at=p. 33 |jstor=40365328}}</ref> 
It is mostly used to advance the education of all [[Citizenship|citizens]], minimize the number of students who stop going to school because of family economic reasons, and balance the education differences between rural and urban areas.{{cn|date=July 2023}}

The overall correlation between the level of access to education in a country and the skills of its student population is weak. This disconnect between education access and education quality may be the consequence of weak capacity to implement education policies or lack of information on the part of policymakers on how to promote student learning. In other situations, governments might be intentionally motivated to provide education for reasons that have nothing to do with improving the knowledge and skills of citizens.<ref name="Paglayan 179–198">{{Cite journal|last=Paglayan|first=Agustina S.|date=February 2021|title=The Non-Democratic Roots of Mass Education: Evidence from 200 Years|journal=American Political Science Review|language=en|volume=115|issue=1|pages=179–198|doi=10.1017/S0003055420000647|issn=0003-0554|doi-access=free}}</ref> On the other hand, in countries with a republican system of government, being educated is necessary and important for every citizen.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Camp|first=David N|date=1871|title=Compulsory Education|journal=The Connecticut School Journal|volume=1|issue=5|pages=181–184|jstor=44649076}}</ref>

Throughout history, compulsory education laws have typically been the latest form of education intervention enacted by states. In general, governments in [[Europe]] and [[Latin America]] began to intervene in primary education an average of 107 years before democratization as measured by [[Polity]]. Compulsory education laws, despite being one of the last measures introduced by central governments seeking to regulate primary education, nevertheless were implemented an average of 52 years before democratization as measured by Polity and 36 years before [[Universal manhood suffrage|universal male suffrage.]]<ref name="Paglayan 179–198"/>

Historically, there is a trend of mass education being introduced in the aftermath of civil wars.<ref name=":0">{{Cite journal |last=Paglayan |first=Agustina S. |date=2022 |title=Education or Indoctrination? The Violent Origins of Public School Systems in an Era of State-Building |journal=American Political Science Review |volume=116 |issue=4 |pages=1242–1257 |language=en |doi=10.1017/S0003055422000247 |s2cid=247848976 |issn=0003-0554|doi-access=free }}</ref> According to a 2022 study, nondemocracies frequently introduced mass education to teach obedience and respect for authority.<ref name=":0" />

==History==

===Antiquity to medieval times===

Compulsory education was not unheard of in ancient times. However, instances are generally tied to royal, religious or military organizations—substantially different from modern notions of compulsory education.

[[Plato]]'s ''[[The Republic (Plato)|The Republic]]'' ({{circa|424|348 BCE}}) is credited with having popularized the concept of compulsory education in Western intellectual thought. Plato's rationale was straightforward. The ideal city would require ideal individuals, and ideal individuals would require an ideal education. 
The popularization of Plato's ideas began with the wider [[Renaissance]] and the translation of Plato's works by [[Marsilio Ficino]] (1434–1499), culminating in the [[Age of Enlightenment|Enlightenment]]. The Enlightenment philosopher [[Jean-Jacques Rousseau]], known for his own work on education (including [[Emile, or On Education]]), said, 'To get a good idea of public education, read Plato's Republic. It is not a political treatise, as those who merely judge books by their title think, but it is the finest, most beautiful work on education ever written.'<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://classics.mit.edu/Plato/republic.html|title = The Internet Classics Archive &#124; the Republic by Plato}}</ref>

In [[Sparta]] boys between the age 6 and 7 left their homes and were sent to military school. School courses were harsh and have been described as a "brutal training period". Between the age of 18 and 20, Spartan males had to pass a test that consisted of fitness, military ability, and leadership skills. A student's failure meant a forfeiture of citizenship ({{transliteration|grc|perioidos}}) and political rights. Passing was a rite of passage to manhood and citizenry, in which he would continue to serve in the military and train as a soldier until the age of 60 when the soldier could retire to live with his family.<ref>Wikipedia: [[Agoge]]</ref>

Every parent in [[Judea]] since ancient times [[Jewish education#History|was required]] to teach their children at least informally. Over the centuries, as cities, towns and villages developed, a class of teachers called Rabbis evolved. According to the [[Talmud]] (tractate [[Bava Bathra]] 21a), which praises the sage [[Joshua ben Gamla]] with the institution of formal Jewish education in the 1st century AD, Ben Gamla instituted schools in every town and made formal education compulsory from age 6 to 8.<ref>Wikipedia: [[Jewish education#Primary schooling]]</ref>

The [[Aztec Triple Alliance]], which ruled from 1428 to 1521 in what is now central [[Mexico]], is considered to be the first state to implement a system of universal compulsory education, although earlier Nahua states may have had it as well.<ref name="Soustelle2002">{{cite book|author=Jacques Soustelle|title=Daily life of the Aztecs: on the eve of the Spanish Conquest|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=WMrNE7uq-tMC|access-date=27 November 2012|date=11 November 2002|publisher=Courier Dover Publications|isbn=978-0-486-42485-9|page=173}}</ref>{{Dubious|Universal compulsory schooling among the Aztecs|date=September 2024|reason=referred to other Wikipedia page which was unsourced and removed, added in edit war, please substantiate the details from the cited book if you can}}

===Early Modern Era===

The [[Protestant Reformation]] prompted the establishment of compulsory education for boys and girls, first in regions that are now part of [[Germany]], and later in [[Europe]] and in the [[United States of America|United States]].

[[Martin Luther]]'s text ''An die Ratsherren aller Städte deutschen Landes'' (To the Councillors of all Towns in German Countries, 1524) called for establishing compulsory schooling so that all parishioners would be able to read the [[Bible]] by themselves.<ref>{{Google books |id=LmOsRpe0nC0C |page=70 |title=Luther deutsch }}</ref> The Protestant South-West of the [[Holy Roman Empire]] soon followed suit. In 1559, the German Duchy [[Württemberg]] established a compulsory education system for boys.<ref>"Große Kirchenordnung", 1559, Oliver Geister, Die Ordnung der Schule. Zur Grundlegung einer Kritik am verwalteten Unterricht. Münster 2006, p. 145.</ref> In 1592, the German Duchy [[Palatine Zweibrücken]] became the first territory in the world with compulsory education for girls and boys,<ref>Emil Sehling (ed.), Die evangelischen Kirchenordnungen des 16. Jahrhunderts. Vol 18: Rheinland-Pfalz I. Tübingen 2006, p. 406.</ref> followed in 1598 by [[Strasbourg]], then a free city of the Holy Roman Empire and now part of [[France]].

In [[Scotland]], the [[School Establishment Act 1616]] commanded every parish to establish a school for everyone paid for by parishioners. The [[Parliament of Scotland]] confirmed this with the [[Education Act 1633]] and created a local land-based tax to provide the required funding. The required majority support of parishioners, however, provided a [[tax avoidance|tax evasion loophole]] which heralded the [[Education Act 1646]]. The turmoil of the age meant that in 1661 there was a temporary reversion to the less compulsory 1633 position. However, a new [[Education Act 1696]] re-established the compulsory provision of a school in every parish with a system of fines, sequestration, and direct government implementation as a means of enforcement where required, making Scotland the first country with national compulsory education.

In the United States, following Luther and other Reformers, the [[Separatists|Separatist]] [[Congregationalists]] who founded [[Plymouth Colony]] in 1620, obliged parents to teach their children how to read and write.<ref>[[John Putnam Demos|John Demos]] (1970), ''A Little Commonwealth: Family Life in Plymouth Colony.'' Oxford University Press, New York, N.Y., pp. 104, 142–144</ref> The [[Massachusetts School Laws]], three legislative acts enacted in the [[Massachusetts Bay Colony]] in 1642, 1647, and 1648, are commonly regarded as the first steps toward compulsory education in the United States. The 1647 law, in particular, required every town having more than 50 families to hire a teacher, and every town of more than 100 families to establish a school.<ref>See references in articles [[Massachusetts School Laws]] and [[Massachusetts#Education]].</ref> The Puritan zeal for learning was reflected in the early and rapid rise of educational institutions; e.g., [[Harvard University|Harvard College]] was founded as early as 1636.<ref>Clifton E. Olmstead (1960), ''History of Religion in the United States.'' Englewood Cliffs, N.J, pp. 79–80</ref>

[[Prussia]] implemented a modern compulsory [[Prussian education system|education system]] in 1763.<ref>{{Cite journal|last=Neufeld|first=John|date=October 1963|title=Compulsory Education in Germany|journal=ALA Bulletin|volume=57|issue=9|pages=805|jstor=25696774}}</ref> It was introduced by the Generallandschulreglement (General School Regulation), a decree of [[Frederick the Great]] in 1763–5.<ref name="autogeneratedxiv"/> The Generallandschulreglement, authored by [[Johann Julius Hecker]], asked for all young citizens, girls and boys, to be educated from age 5 to age 13–14 and to be provided with a basic outlook on (Christian) religion, singing, reading and writing based on a regulated, state-provided curriculum of text books. The teachers, often former soldiers, were asked to cultivate silk worms to make a living besides contributions from the local citizens and municipalities.<ref>[http://www.tagesspiegel.de/wissen/250-jahre-volksschule-in-preussen-lesen-schreiben-und-beten/8624112.html 250 Jahre Volksschule in Preußen, Lesen, Schreiben und Beten] (250 years of primary education in Prussia) 12 August 2013 Tagesspiegel Berlin, Barbara Kerbel, in German</ref><ref>Funding and training of the teachers was slowly expanded and received funding till teachers gained full academic status in the 20th century.</ref>

In [[Austria]], [[Hungary]] and the [[Lands of the Bohemian Crown]] (Czech lands), mandatory primary education was introduced by Empress [[Maria Theresa]] in 1774.<ref name="autogeneratedxiv">James van Horn Melton. "Absolutism and the Eighteenth-Century Origins of Compulsory Schooling in Prussia and Austria". p. xiv.</ref>

===Late Modern Era===

Compulsory school attendance based on the Prussian model gradually spread to other countries. It was quickly adopted by the governments in [[Denmark-Norway]] and [[Sweden]], and also in [[Finland]], [[Estonia]] and [[Latvia]] within the [[Russian Empire]], and later [[England and Wales]] and [[France]].<ref name =says>{{cite journal |first1=Yasemin Nuhoglu |last1=Soysal |first2=David |last2=Strang |title=Construction of the First Mass Education Systems in Nineteenth-Century Europe |journal=Sociology of Education |year=1989 |volume=62 |issue=4 |pages=277–288 |jstor=2112831 |doi=10.2307/2112831 }}</ref>

Due to population growth and the proliferation of compulsory education, [[UNESCO]] calculated in 2006 that over the subsequent 30 years, more people would receive formal education than in all prior human history.<ref name="Robinson, K.">[http://www.ted.com/talks/ken_robinson_says_schools_kill_creativity.html ''Schools Kill Creativity'']. TED Talks, 2006, Monterey, CA, USA.</ref>

====France====
France was slow to introduce compulsory education, this time due to conflicts between the secular state and the Catholic Church, and as a result between anti-clerical and Catholic political parties. During the July Monarchy, government officials proposed a variety of public primary education provisions, culminating in the Guizot Law of 28 June 1833. The Guizot law mandated that all communes provide education for boys and required that schools implement a curriculum focused on religious and moral instruction. The first set of Jules Ferry Laws, passed in 1881, extended the central government's role in education well beyond the provisions of the Guizot Law, and made primary education free for girls and boys. In 1882, the second set of Jules Ferry Laws made education compulsory for girls and boys until the age of 13.<ref>Paglayan, Agustina, 2020, "Replication Data for: The Non-Democratic Roots of Mass Education: Evidence from 200 Years", https://doi.org/10.7910/DVN/X2VJJX, Harvard Dataverse, V1, UNF:6:dsocagzDlr4OuK5c/RkP8g== [fileUNF]</ref> In 1936, the upper age limit was raised to 14. In 1959, it was further extended to 16.<ref>Barnard, H.C.. Education and the French Revolution (Cambridge: Cambridge University Press,1969)</ref>

====United States====
In 1852, [[Massachusetts]] was the first U.S. state to pass a compulsory universal public education law. In particular, the [[Massachusetts General Court]] required every town to create and operate a grammar school. Fines were imposed on parents who did not send their children to school, and the government took the power to take children away from their parents and apprentice them to others if government officials decided that the parents were "unfit to have the children educated properly."<ref name="rothbard1975">{{cite book |last=Rothbard |first=Murray Rothbard |title=Conceived in Liberty |chapter-url=https://archive.org/details/conceivedinliber01roth |chapter-url-access=registration |chapter=The Puritans 'Purify': Theocracy in Massachusetts |year=1975 |publisher=Arlington House Publishers|isbn=9780870002625 }}</ref> In 1918, [[Mississippi]] became the last state to enact a compulsory attendance law.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Katz|first1=Michael S.|title=A History of Compulsory Education Laws|url=http://files.eric.ed.gov/fulltext/ED119389.pdf|website=ERIC – Institute of Education Sciences|publisher=ERIC|access-date=19 December 2014}}</ref>

In 1922 an attempt was made by the voters of Oregon to enact the [[Oregon Compulsory Education Act]], which would require all children between the ages of 8 and 16 to attend [[state school|public schools]], only leaving exceptions for mentally or physically unfit children, exceeding a certain living distance from a state school, or having written consent from a county superintendent to receive private instruction.<ref>{{cite journal|last1=Jorgenson|first1=Lloyd P.|title=The Oregon School Law of 1922: Passage and Sequel|journal=The Catholic Historical Review|volume=54|issue=3|pages=455–466|publisher=Catholic University of America Press|jstor=25018244|year=1968}}</ref> The law was passed by popular vote but was later ruled unconstitutional by the United States Supreme Court in [[Pierce v. Society of Sisters]], determining that "a child is not a mere creature of the state." This case settled the dispute about whether or not private schools had the right to do business and educate within the United States.

====Russia/USSR====

In the Soviet Union, a compulsory education provision law was implemented in 1930.<ref>"Всеобщее обучение". otrok.ru (in Russian)</ref> State-provided education during this era was primarily focused on eradicating illiteracy. In line with the overall goals of the regime's [[Five-year plans of the Soviet Union|Five Year Plans]], the motivation behind education provision and literacy instruction was to "train a new generation of technically skilled and scientifically literate citizens."<ref>U.S. DOE 1960, xv, cited in [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/nondemocratic-roots-of-mass-education-evidence-from-200-years/8C8C594AA07996A00ED4BEFC66B133B7#supplementary-materials Paglayan 2021]</ref> Industrial development needed more skilled workers of all kinds. No possible source of talent could be left untapped, and the only way of meeting these needs was by the rapid development of a planned system of mass education."<ref>Grant 1964, 22, cited in [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/nondemocratic-roots-of-mass-education-evidence-from-200-years/8C8C594AA07996A00ED4BEFC66B133B7#supplementary-materials Paglayan 2021]</ref> Soviet schools "responded to the economic requirements of society" by emphasizing "basic formation in math, and polytechnic knowledge related to economic production."<ref>U.S. DOE 1960, 1–2, cited in [https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/nondemocratic-roots-of-mass-education-evidence-from-200-years/8C8C594AA07996A00ED4BEFC66B133B7#article Paglayan 2021]</ref> The Soviet regime's deliberate expansion of mass education supremacy was what most impressed the U.S. education missions to the USSR in the 1950s.<ref name="Paglayan 179–198"/>

====China====
China's nine-year compulsory education was formally established in 1986 as part of its economic modernization program.<ref name="xiaohuan">{{citation|first=Xiaohuan|last=Su|publisher=五洲传播出版社|year=2002|isbn=978-7-80113-993-1|title=Education in China: reforms and innovations|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=4w8OZEy00aYC&pg=PA37|access-date=19 February 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20170317215416/https://books.google.com/books?id=4w8OZEy00aYC&pg=PA37|archive-date=17 March 2017|url-status=live}}</ref> It was designed to promote "universalization", the closure of the education gap by economic development and between rural and urban areas by provision of safe and high-quality schools.<ref>{{Cite journal|title=The Problems with Access to Compulsory Education in China and the Effects of the Policy of Direct Subsidies to Students|journal=Chinese Education & Society|volume=45|last=Ding|first=Yanqing|publisher=Chinese Education & Society vol.45, no.1|year=2012|pages=13–21|doi=10.2753/CED1061-1932450102|s2cid=142831787}}</ref> The program initially faced shortages due to a huge population and weak economic foundation, but by 1999 primary and junior middle schools respectively served 90% and 85% of the national population.<ref name="xiaohuan"/>

== Timeline of introduction ==

=== 1700s ===
* '''1739''': {{flag|Denmark-Norway|Kingdom}}<ref>Reeh, Niels. 2016. Secularization Revisited – Teaching of Religion and the State of Denmark 1721 to 2006. Edited by Lori Beamann, Lene Kühle and Anna Halahoff: Springer.</ref>
* '''1763''': {{flag|Prussia}}<ref name=EUR/>
* '''1774''': {{flag|Austria|empire}}


=== 1800s ===
*'''1805''': {{flag|Liechtenstein}}<ref>[https://www.liechtenstein.li/en/education/school-system/ School system]</ref>
*'''1814''': {{flag|Denmark}}<ref name=EUR>{{cite book |title= Globalistics and globalization studies: Global Transformations and Global Future.
|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=NtZbDgAAQBAJ&q=Globalistics+and+globalization+studies:+Global+Transformations+and+Global+Future. |page= 66 |isbn=978-5705750269 |last1= Grinin|first1= Leonid E.|last2= Ilyin|first2= Ilya V.|last3= Herrmann|first3= Peter|last4= Korotayev|first4= Andrey V.|year = 2016| publisher=ООО "Издательство "Учитель" }}</ref>
*'''1817''': {{flag|Travancore}}<ref>based on the text in the previous section</ref>
*'''1824''': {{flag|Ottoman Empire}}<ref>[http://www.turkishstudies.net/turkishstudies?mod=tammetin&makaleadi=&makaleurl=c18c5b52-5fc3-4c3f-bef0-6e04e3951c23.pdf&key=43726/ Examination of Mahmut II's 1824 Edict of Talim-i Sıbyan (Education of Infants) on the Compulsion of the Primary Education in Terms of the Rights of the Child]</ref>
*'''1834''': {{flag|Greece}}<ref name=EUR/>
*'''1841''': {{flag|Hawaii}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1842''': {{flag|Sweden}}<ref name=EUR/>
*'''1844''': {{flag|Portugal}}<ref name=EUR/>
*'''1852''': {{flag|Massachusetts}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1857''': {{flag|Spain}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://idus.us.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11441/64984/Education_in_Spain_Close-up_of_Its_History_in_the_20th_Century.pdf?sequence=1 |title=Education in Spain: Close-up of Its History in the 20th Century |access-date=2019-05-01 |archive-date=2019-12-12 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20191212025109/https://idus.us.es/xmlui/bitstream/handle/11441/64984/Education_in_Spain_Close-up_of_Its_History_in_the_20th_Century.pdf?sequence=1 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*'''1864''': {{flag|Washington, D.C.}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Romania}}
*'''1867''': {{flag|Vermont}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1868''': {{flag|Montenegro}}
*'''1869''': {{flag|Italy}},<ref name=ojr/> {{flag|Costa Rica}}<ref>[https://www.costarica.com/relocation/costa-ricas-education-system COSTA RICA'S EDUCATION SYSTEM]</ref>
*'''1870''': {{flag|Colombia}}<ref name=lat>{{cite book |date= 2014 |title= Education and the State: International perspectives on a changing relationship|url= https://books.google.com/books?id=dIg9BAAAQBAJ|pages= 47–8 |isbn= 9781317678236|last1= Aubry|first1= Carla|last2= Geiss|first2= Michael|last3= Magyar-Haas|first3= Veronika|last4= Oelkers|first4= Jürgen|publisher= Routledge}}</ref>
*'''1871''': {{flag|Michigan}}, {{flag|New Hampshire}}, {{flag|Washington}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Ontario}},<ref name=CAN/> {{flag|Western Australia}}<ref name=AUS/>
*'''1872''': {{flag|Japan}}, {{flag|Scotland}},<ref>{{cite web |title=Part 4: The 1872 Education (Scotland) Act |work=The University of Edinburgh |date=13 July 2015 |url=https://www.ed.ac.uk/education/about-us/maps-estates-history/history/part-four |publisher=[[Moray House School of Education and Sport]], [[University of Edinburgh]] |access-date=7 November 2022}}</ref> {{flag|Connecticut}} (de facto unenforceable),<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Victoria}}<ref name=AUS/>
*'''1873''': {{flag|Nevada}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|British Columbia}}<ref name=CAN>Philip Oreopoulos: [http://publications.gc.ca/Collection/Statcan/11F0019MIE/11F0019MIE2005251.pdf Canadian Compulsory School Laws and their Impact on Educational], 2005</ref>
*'''1874''': {{flag|Switzerland}},<ref name=EUR/> {{flag|Kansas}}, {{flag|New York}}, {{flag|California}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1875''': {{flag|New Jersey}}, {{flag|Maine}},<ref name=USA>[https://www.infoplease.com/us/elementary-and-high-school-education/state-compulsory-school-attendance-laws State Compulsory School Attendance Laws]</ref> {{flag|South Australia}}<ref name=AUS>[http://dehanz.net.au/entries/free-compulsory-secular-education-acts/ Free, compulsory and secular Education Acts]</ref>
*'''1876''': {{flag|Wyoming}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Guyana}}, {{flag|Suriname}}<ref>[http://neon.niederlandistik.fu-berlin.de/static/mh/Diepeveen_Huening_2016_ms.pdf The status of Dutch in post-colonial Suriname]</ref>
*'''1877''': {{flag|New Zealand}}, {{flag|Uruguay}},<ref name=lat/> {{flag|Ohio}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Prince Edward Island}}<ref name=CAN/>
*'''1878''': {{flag|Bulgaria}}
*'''1879''': {{flag|Wisconsin}}<ref>[http://dalbello.comminfo.rutgers.edu/FLVA/background/education.html Education in Wisconsin]</ref>
*'''1880''': {{flag|England}},<ref name=EUR/> {{flag|Wales}},<ref name=EUR/> {{flag|New South Wales}},<ref name=AUS/> {{flag|Venezuela}}<ref>Sanchez, George I. (1963), ''[http://eric.ed.gov/ERICWebPortal/contentdelivery/servlet/ERICServlet?accno=ED046813 The Development of Education in Venezuela]'', Office of Education (DHEW), Washington, DC., p. v</ref>
*'''1882''': {{flag|France}},<ref name=EUR/> {{flag|Serbia}}<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/285614267_Serbia Serbia]</ref>
*'''1883''': {{flag|Montana}}, {{flag|Illinois}}, {{flag|North Dakota}}, {{flag|South Dakota}}, {{flag|Rhode Island}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Nova Scotia}}<ref name=CAN/>
*'''1884''': {{flag|Argentina}}<ref name=lat/>
*'''1885''': {{flag|Minnesota}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1886''': {{flag|Colombia}} (abolished)<ref name=lat/>
*'''1887''': {{flag|Idaho}}, {{flag|Nebraska}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1889''': {{flag|Oregon}}, {{flag|Colorado}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1890''': {{flag|Barbados}},<ref>[https://mes.gov.bb/Download.ashx?file=Attachments%2FHistorical_Developments.pdf&name=Historical+Developments+of+Education+in+Barbados+1686+-+2000 Historical developments of education in Barbados]</ref> {{flag|Utah}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1891''': {{flag|New Mexico}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1892''': {{flag|Ireland}}<ref name=EUR/>
*'''1895''': {{flag|Pennsylvania}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1896''': {{flag|Kentucky}}, {{flag|Hawaii}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1897''': {{flag|Ecuador}},<ref name=lat/> {{flag|Indiana}}, {{flag|West Virginia}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1899''': {{flag|Arizona}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Puerto Rico}}

=== 1900s ===
*'''1900''': {{flag|Netherlands}},<ref name=EUR/> {{flag|Queensland}}<ref name=AUS/>
*'''1902''': {{flag|Iowa}}, {{flag|Maryland}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1904''': {{flag|Guam}}<ref>George Leland Dyer: [https://www.guampedia.com/dyer-general-orders/#No_80 Order No. 80], 1904</ref>
*'''1905''': {{flag|Peru}}, {{flag|Tennessee}}, {{flag|Missouri}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|New Brunswick}}<ref name=CAN/>
*'''1906''': {{flag|Namibia}} (only for white children with less than 4&nbsp;km to the nearest school)<ref>{{cite web|url=http://erepository.uonbi.ac.ke/bitstream/handle/11295/55399/Noble_Education%20In%20Namibia...pdf?sequence=3&isAllowed=y |title=Education in Namibia|page=45}}</ref>
*'''1907''': {{flag|Iceland}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.iceland.is/the-big-picture/people-society/education |title=Iceland: Education |access-date=2019-05-01 |archive-date=2021-02-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211104924/https://www.iceland.is/the-big-picture/people-society/education |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{flag|Delaware}}, {{flag|North Carolina}}, {{flag|Oklahoma}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1908''': {{flag|Virginia}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1909''': {{flag|Paraguay}},<ref name=lat/> {{flag|Arkansas}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Saskatchewan}}<ref name=CAN/>
*'''1910''': {{flag|Louisiana}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Alberta}}<ref name=CAN/>,{{flag icon|JPN}}[[Taiwan under Japanese rule|Taiwan]]
*'''1912''': {{flag|Luxembourg}}<ref name=EUR/>
*'''1913''': {{flag|Albania}}<ref>[https://www.mcser.org/journal/index.php/mjss/article/viewFile/2230/2216 Development of Education during the Years 1944 – 1948 in Albania]</ref>
*'''1915''': {{flag|Alabama}}, {{flag|South Carolina}}, {{flag|Florida}}, {{flag|Texas}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1916''': {{flag|Georgia (U.S. state)}},<ref name=USA/> {{flag|Manitoba}},<ref name=CAN/> {{flag|Tasmania}}<ref name=AUS/>
*'''1917''': {{flag|Mexico}},<ref>[[Constitution of Mexico]]</ref> {{flag|Gibraltar}}<ref>Edward G. Archer: [https://books.google.com/books?id=YGz51UgdncgC&dq=Gibraltar+1917+education+compulsory&pg=PA122 Gibraltar, Identity and Empire]</ref>
*'''1918''': {{flag|Mississippi}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1919''': {{flag|Belgium}},<ref name=EUR/> {{flag|Poland}} (only for children with less than 3&nbsp;km to the nearest school),<ref name=POL>[http://prawo.sejm.gov.pl/isap.nsf/DocDetails.xsp?id=WDU19190140147 Dz.Pr.P.P. 1919/14/147]</ref> {{flag|Latvia}}, all of {{flag|Germany}} (Weimar Constitution)<ref>{{Cite web|title=documentArchiv.de - Verfassung des Deutschen Reichs ["Weimarer Reichsverfassung"] (11.08.1919)|url=http://www.documentarchiv.de/wr/wrv.html#VIERTER_ABSCHNITT02|access-date=2020-11-02|website=www.documentarchiv.de}}</ref>
*'''1920''': {{flag|Chile}},<ref name=lat/> {{flag|Estonia}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.perfar.eu/policy/education/estonia |title=Educational Policies: Estonia (2014) |access-date=2019-05-01 |archive-date=2019-08-05 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190805132538/https://www.perfar.eu/policy/education/estonia |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{flag|Eswatini}} (white children only)
*'''1921''': {{flag|Finland}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.oph.fi/english/education_system/historical_overview/educational_provision |title=Finland: Evolution of Educational Provision |access-date=2019-05-01 |archive-date=2019-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517084425/https://www.oph.fi/english/education_system/historical_overview/educational_provision |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{flag|Thailand}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ide.go.jp/library/English/Publish/Download/Report/2005/pdf/2005_04_15_07.pdf |title=The Development of Primary Education in Thailand and Its Present Challenges |access-date=2019-05-01 |archive-date=2021-02-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211104949/http://www.ide.go.jp/library/English/Publish/Download/Report/2005/pdf/2005_04_15_07.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*'''1922''': {{flag|Lithuania}}
*'''1923''': {{flag|Nauru}}<ref>{{cite book|last1=Rapatahana|first1=Vaughan|last2=Bunce|first2=Pauline|title=English Language as Hydra: Its Impacts on Non-English Language Cultures|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=3epUw_DvZf8C&pg=PA27|year=2012|publisher=Multilingual Matters|isbn=978-1-84769-752-3|pages=27–28}}</ref>
*'''1924''': {{flag|Ukrainian SSR}}<ref name=ussr>{{cite web |url= http://www.otrok.ru/teach/enc/txt/3/page82.html|title= Всеобщее обучение |language=ru |website= otrok.ru |access-date= 1 May 2019}}</ref>
*'''1925''': {{flag|Mongolia}}<ref>[https://www.researchgate.net/publication/298717803_Literacy_country_study_Mongolia_Background_paper_prepared_for_the_Education_for_All_Global_Monitoring_Report_2006_Literacy_for_Life Literacy country study: Mongolia]</ref>
*'''1926''': {{flag|Byelorussian SSR|1919}}<ref name=ussr/>
*'''1927''': {{flag|Colombia}} (reintroduced)<ref name=lat/>
*'''1929''': {{flag|Alaska}}<ref name=USA/>
*'''1930''': {{flag|India}}, {{flag|USSR}}<ref name=ussr/>
*'''1935''': {{flag|Afghanistan|1930}}<ref name=afg>{{cite web|url=https://reliefweb.int/report/afghanistan/history-educational-system-afghanistan|title=History of educational system in Afghanistan|date=12 May 2003|publisher=Help the Afghan Children|access-date=1 May 2019}}</ref>
*'''1942''': {{flag|Newfoundland}}<ref name=CAN/>
*'''1943''': {{flag|Quebec}},<ref name=CAN/> {{flag|Iran}}<ref>Encyclopædia Iranica: [http://www.iranicaonline.org/articles/education-vii-general-survey-of-modern-education General Survey of Modern Education]</ref>
*'''1946''': {{flag|Malta}}<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.um.edu.mt/about/uom/history|title=History of the University|publisher=[[University of Malta]]|access-date=2 February 2011|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110630011016/http://www.um.edu.mt/about/uom/history|archive-date=30 June 2011}}</ref>
*'''1949''': {{flag|Israel}}<ref name=ojr>[http://biblioteka-krk.ibe.edu.pl/opac_css/doc_num.php?explnum_id=164 100 Years of Educational Reforms in Europe: a contextual database]</ref>
*'''1951''': {{flag|Libya}}<ref>[[Constitution of Libya (1951)]]</ref>
*'''1952''': {{flag|Jordan}}<ref>[[Constitution of Jordan]]</ref>
*'''1953''': {{flag|Egypt}},<ref>Hollingsworth, Michael. [https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/02688867.1986.9726577 Education in Egypt's development: the need for a wider system of appraisal]</ref> {{flag|South Korea}}<ref>[http://www.asianinfo.org/asianinfo/korea/education.htm Historical Review of Korea's Education]</ref>
*'''1956''': {{flag|Poland}} (all children)<ref name=POL/>
*'''1960''': {{flag|Chad}}
*'''1961''': {{flag|Ghana}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://laws.ghanalegal.com/acts/id/23/section/2/Compulsory_Education |title=Education Act, 1961 |access-date=2019-05-01 |archive-date=2020-02-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200215195734/http://laws.ghanalegal.com/acts/id/23/section/2/Compulsory_Education |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*'''1962''': {{flag|Cyprus}},<ref>[https://www.academia.edu/2436641/THE_EDUCATIONAL_SYSTEM_IN_CYPRUS THE EDUCATIONAL SYSTEM IN CYPRUS]</ref> {{flag|Mali}}
*'''1963''': {{flag|Algeria}},<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/algeria/67.htm Algeria]</ref> {{flag|Morocco}}<ref>{{citation |title= Diyen, Hayat 2004,"reform of secondary education in Morocco: Challenges and Prospects." Prospects, vol XXXIV.no.2, pp212}}</ref>
*'''1964''': {{flag|Mozambique}} (children with less than three miles to the nearest school)
*'''1965''': {{flag|Kuwait}}<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://countrystudies.us/persian-gulf-states/19-Education.htm|title=Kuwait Education}}</ref>
*'''1968''': {{flag|Taiwan}}<ref>[https://stats.moe.gov.tw/files/ebook/Education_in_Taiwan/2006-2007_Education_in_Taiwan.pdf Education in Taiwan]</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=https://history.moe.gov.tw/policy.asp?id=2 |title=Republic of China Ministry of Education |access-date=2021-07-28 |archive-date=2022-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182538/https://history.moe.gov.tw/policy.asp?id=2 |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dava.ncl.edu.tw/metadatainfo.aspx?FunType=0&ID=574943 |title=National Central Library Admonition of Nine Years: Compulsory Education |access-date=2021-07-28 |archive-date=2022-01-18 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220118182414/http://dava.ncl.edu.tw/metadatainfo.aspx?FunType=0&ID=574943 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*'''1971''': {{flag|United Arab Emirates}}<ref>[https://aurak.ac.ae/publications/A-History-of-Education-in-the-United-Arab-Emirates-and-Trucial-Sheikdoms.pdf A History of Education in the United Arab Emirates and Trucial Sheikdoms]</ref>
*'''1973''': {{flag|Indonesia}}
*'''1975''': {{flag|Somalia}}<ref>[https://www.studycountry.com/guide/SO-education.htm Somalia – Education]</ref>
*'''1976''': {{flag|Iraq}}
*'''1981''': {{flag|Seychelles}},<ref>[http://countrystudies.us/seychelles/12.htm A country study: Seychelles]</ref> {{flag|Syria}}<ref>[https://www.harita.gov.tr/images/dergi/makaleler/3fd1b2c1e64d1b6.pdf Increasing The School Access in Azaz City, Syria: A GIS-Based Set Covering Model]</ref>
*'''1986''': {{flag|People's Republic of China}}<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/education/edurights/media/docs/169b83f48bab79b912f3dfd3e207695aefa783a2.pdf Compulsory Education Law of the People’s Republic of China], 1986</ref>
*'''1988''': {{flag|Brazil}},<ref>[http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/constituicao/constituicao.htm Constituição da República Federativa do Brasil de 1988]</ref> {{flag|Philippines}}<ref>[http://www.chanrobles.com/republicacts/republicactno6655.html Republic Act No. 6655], Chan Robles Law Library.</ref>
*'''1990''': {{flag|Bangladesh}},<ref>[https://editorialexpress.com/cgi-bin/conference/download.cgi?db_name=res_phd_2011&paper_id=30 Compulsory Primary Education Act], 1990</ref> {{flag|Yemen}}, {{flag|Namibia}} (all children)
*'''1991''': {{flag|Tunisia}}<ref>[https://wenr.wes.org/2006/04/wenr-apr-2006-education-in-tunisia Education in the Maghreb: Tunisia]</ref>
*'''1994''': {{flag|Samoa}}
*'''1996''': {{flag|Laos}},<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://dmz-ibe2-vm.unesco.org/sites/default/files/Lao_PDR.pdf |title=World Data on Education: Laos |access-date=2019-05-01 |archive-date=2021-02-11 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210211105222/http://dmz-ibe2-vm.unesco.org/sites/default/files/Lao_PDR.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref> {{flag|Afghanistan|1996}} (abolished for women)<ref name=afg/>
*'''1998''': {{flag|Lebanon}},<ref>[https://www.loc.gov/law/help/child-rights/lebanon.php Children’s Rights: Lebanon]</ref> {{flag|Sudan}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/WDE/2010/pdf-versions/Sudan.pdf |title=World Data on Education: Sudan |access-date=2019-06-26 |archive-date=2020-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202092411/http://www.ibe.unesco.org/fileadmin/user_upload/Publications/WDE/2010/pdf-versions/Sudan.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref>

=== 2000s ===
*'''2000''': {{flag|Singapore}}<ref>[http://eresources.nlb.gov.sg/history/events/6668d338-1cf6-42a6-be5d-220b02a1faca Compulsory education Act is passed], 2000</ref>
*'''2001''': {{flag|Afghanistan|1992}} (reintroduced for women),<ref name=afg/> {{flag|Mauritania}}<ref>[https://www.refworld.org/pdfid/5448a63a0.pdf Mauritania]</ref>
*'''2003''': {{flag|Liberia}},<ref>World Bank: [https://reliefweb.int/sites/reliefweb.int/files/resources/Full_Report_1985.pdf Education in Liberia]</ref> {{flag|Malaysia}},<ref>[https://www.espact.com.my/national-education-system/compulsory-primary-education National Education System]</ref> {{flag|Sierra Leone}}<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.ungei.org/gapproject/sierraleone_337.html |title=Sierra Leone: Newsline |access-date=2019-06-26 |archive-date=2020-12-02 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201202092438/http://www.ungei.org/gapproject/sierraleone_337.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
*'''2005''': {{flag|Bahrain}}<ref>[http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=73041 Law No. 27 of 2005 with respect to Education.]</ref>
*'''2007''': {{flag|Brunei}}<ref>[http://www.ilo.org/dyn/natlex/natlex4.detail?p_lang=en&p_isn=97410&p_classification=04 Compulsory Education Act (Cap. 211)]</ref>
*'''2008''': {{flag|Uganda}},<ref>[http://www.unesco.org/education/edurights/media/docs/5d1b721a509097c2833561341ead3d788906cf4a.pdf Education Act], 2008</ref> {{flag|Oman}}<ref>[https://www.academicresearchjournals.org/IJARER/PDF/2016/January/Al%20Najar.pdf View of Education development in Oman]</ref>{{pred |date=July 2024}}
*'''2009''': {{flag|Connecticut}} (enforceable misdemeanor, unenforceable prior to 2009)
*'''2010''': {{flag|Lesotho}}<ref>[https://www.helplesotho.org/the-obstacles-facing-students-in-lesotho/ The Obstacles Facing Students in Lesotho]</ref>
*'''2021''': {{flag|Afghanistan}} (secondary school abolished for women)<ref>{{cite news |last1=George |first1=Susannah |title=Taliban reopens Afghan schools — except for girls beyond sixth grade |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/world/2022/03/23/taliban-afghan-girls-school-secondary/ |access-date=19 November 2022 |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |date=23 March 2022}}</ref>

=== Countries without compulsory education ===
* {{flag|Bhutan}}<ref>Mahmood Ansari: [https://www.academia.edu/4464980/The_State_and_Education_System_in_Bhutan_A_Note The State and Education System in Bhutan A Note]</ref>
* {{flag|Papua New Guinea}}<ref>[https://www.scholaro.com/pro/Countries/Papua-New-Guinea/Education-System Education System in Papua New Guinea]</ref>
* {{flag|Solomon Islands}}<ref>[https://www.scholaro.com/pro/Countries/Solomon-Islands/Education-System Education System in Solomon Islands]</ref>
* {{flag|Vatican City}} – note: Since the [[Disappearance of Emanuela Orlandi]], citizenship requirements have been tightened for non-religious lay residents of [[Vatican City]], and a minimum age of 25 was imposed.

==By country==
{{see also|Public schooling}}

The following table indicates at what ages compulsory education starts and ends in different countries. The most common age for starting compulsory education is 6, but that varies between 3 and 8.<ref name="webgate.ec.europa.eu">{{Cite web |url=https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/images/2/24/Compulsory_Education_in_Europe_2016_2017.pdf |title=Archived copy |access-date=2017-01-23 |archive-date=2016-10-09 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161009145616/https://webgate.ec.europa.eu/fpfis/mwikis/eurydice/images/2/24/Compulsory_Education_in_Europe_2016_2017.pdf |url-status=dead }}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d08/tables/dt08_165.asp|title = Digest of Education Statistics, 2008}}</ref>

{| class="wikitable sortable"
|-
! Country/Region !! Lower <br /> age range !! Upper <br /> age range !! Notes
|-
| {{flag|Argentina}} || 4 || 18 || <ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.derechofacil.gob.ar/leysimple/ley-nacional-de-educacion/|title = Ley simple|date = 8 March 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Australia}} || 5 || 15/17 || Upper age limit varies among states. Waived if pursuing full-time employment or full-time education.
|-
| {{flag|Austria}} || 6 || 15 || Compulsory education requires nine years spent in school. After completing all mandatory schooldays, it is obligatory to attend a secondary school or do an apprenticeship until the age of 18.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.oesterreich.gv.at/themen/jugendliche/ausbildung_bis_18.html|title = AusBildung bis 18}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Belgium}} || 5 || 18 || In Belgium, only compulsory education applies. School is not compulsory.
|-
| {{flag|Bosnia and Herzegovina}}
|6
|15
|
|-
| {{flag|Bulgaria}} || 4 || 16 || Since 2020, compulsory education includes three years of preschool education before children start primary school.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.oecd-ilibrary.org/sites/81d18411-en/index.html?itemId=/content/component/81d18411-en | title=Home }}</ref><ref>{{cite web | url=https://education-profiles.org/europe-and-northern-america/bulgaria/~non-state-actors-in-education | title=Bulgaria &#124; NON-STATE ACTORS IN EDUCATION &#124; Education Profiles }}</ref> 
|-
| {{flag|Brazil}} || 4 || 17 || Last changed in 2009.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.planalto.gov.br/ccivil_03/constituicao/emendas/emc/emc59.htm|title=Emenda Constitucional nº 59}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Canada}} || 5–7 || 16/18 || Children who turn five by 31 December are required to begin schooling in British Columbia, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, and Yukon. In Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, the Northwest Territories, Ontario, Prince Edward Island, and Quebec, a child is required to attend school at the age of six. Manitoba and Saskatchewan are the only provinces where the minimum compulsory attendance age is seven. Attendance in school is compulsory until the student reaches the age of 16 in all provinces except Manitoba, Ontario, and New Brunswick, where attendance is compulsory until the student is 18 years old.
|-
| {{flag|China}} || 6 || 15 ||
|-
| {{flag|Croatia}} || 6 || 15 ||
|-
| {{flag|Costa Rica}} || 4 || 17 ||
|-
|{{flag|Cyprus}} || 5 || 15 || Compulsory education starts with one mandatory year of pre-primary (preschool) education.<ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.highereducation.ac.cy/en/educational-system.html |title=Cyprus Higher Education |access-date=28 September 2016 |archive-date=14 August 2015 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150814103119/http://www.highereducation.ac.cy/en/educational-system.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Czech Republic}} || 5 || 15 || Compulsory education requires one year spent in pre-school and nine years spent in school. Beginning age is negotiable ± 1 year.
|-
| {{flag|Denmark}} || 6 || 16 ||
|-
| {{flag|Egypt}} || 6 || 14 ||
|-
| {{flag|England}} and {{flag|Wales}} || 5<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1996/56/section/8 | title=Education Act 1996 s8 | access-date=6 October 2016}}</ref> || 16<ref>{{cite web | url=http://www.politics.co.uk/reference/education-leaving-age | title=Education leaving age | publisher=Politics.co.uk | access-date=15 May 2013}}</ref> || Requirement is for a full-time education, but attendance at a school is not compulsory (section 7 of The [[Education Act 1996]]).
|-
| {{flag|Estonia}} || 6/7 || 15/16 || 6 year olds can enter if they turn 7 by 1 October in the same year.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.riigiteataja.ee/akt/13332410 |title=Põhikooli- ja gümnaasiumiseadus |date=17 September 2021 |website=Riigi Teataja |access-date=23 March 2022 |language=et |trans-title=Primary and Secondary School Act}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Finland}} || 7 || 18 || Beginning age is negotiable ± 1 year. The law changed at the end of 2020 from the age of 15 to now 18. 
|-
| {{flag|France}} || 3 || 16 || Compulsory education only
|-
| {{flag|Germany}} || 6 || 16 || Varies slightly between states.<ref>[[:de:Schulpflicht#Heutige Rechtslage]] {{circular reference|date=August 2022}}</ref><ref>{{cite news| url=http://news.bbc.co.uk/1/hi/education/8576769.stm | work=BBC News | title=Where home schooling is illegal | date=22 March 2010}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Greece}} || 5 || 15 || Compulsory education starts with one mandatory year of pre-primary (preschool) education.
|-
| {{flag|Haiti}} || 6 || 11 || The Haitian Constitution mandates that education be free of charge. However, even public schools charge substantial fees. 80% of children go to private schools.
|-
| {{flag|Hong Kong}} || 6 || 15 || Hong Kong laws state that education is mandatory for 12 years (primary and secondary) and free for 15 years (kindergarten, primary and secondary) except for private schools or subsidized schools.
|-
| {{flag|Hungary}} || 3 || 16 || Since 2015, kindergarten is compulsory from age 3, although exceptions are made for developmental reasons.<ref>http://unesdoc.unesco.org/images/0022/002299/229933E.pdf{{Bare URL PDF|date=March 2022}}</ref><ref>[http://www.caboodle.hu/nc/news/news_archive/single_page/?tx_ttnews&#91;tt_news&#93;=9571 Hungary lowers mandatory school age to three] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131202222936/http://www.caboodle.hu/nc/news/news_archive/single_page/?tx_ttnews& |date=2 December 2013 }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|India}} || 3 || 18 || [[The Right of Children to Free and Compulsory Education Act]] in August 2009 made education free and compulsory for children aged between 6 and 14. This was further updated by [[National Education Policy 2020]] which made education free and compulsory for children aged between 3 and 18.
|-
| {{flag|Indonesia}} || 6 || 18 ||
|-
| {{flag|Israel}} || 3 || 16 || Compulsory education takes place from kindergarten through to 10th grade.
|-
| {{flag|Iran}} || 6 || 12<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.bbc.co.uk/persian/world/2015/04/150409_education_for_all_2000_2015|title=نگرش مردم ایران به تحصیل زنان در دانشگاه منفی تر شده است|agency=BBC Persian}}</ref> ||
|-
| {{flag|Italy}} || 6 || 16 ||
|-
| {{flag|Jamaica}} || 5 || 16 ||Parents could face charges of [[child neglect]] if they prevent their children from going to school without valid reasons. Not enforced.
|-
|{{flag|Japan}} ||6 || 15 ||
|-
|-
|{{flag|Latvia}} ||5 || 16<ref name="webgate.ec.europa.eu"/><ref>{{Cite web |url=http://www.studyinlatvia.eu/en/studies/education-system |title=Education system – Study in Latvia – studyinlatvia.eu |access-date=26 March 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190831090437/http://www.studyinlatvia.eu/en/studies/education-system |archive-date=31 August 2019 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ||
|-
|{{flag|Luxembourg}} ||4 || 16<ref name="webgate.ec.europa.eu"/>||
|-
| {{flag|Malaysia}} || 6 || 12<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.moe.gov.my/upload/galeri_awam/pekeliling/2008_BTMK_126_2861_7019.pdf |title=Pelaksanaan pendidikan wajib di peringkat rendah 2003 |access-date=11 March 2014 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20141014192342/http://www.moe.gov.my/upload/galeri_awam/pekeliling/2008_BTMK_126_2861_7019.pdf |archive-date=14 October 2014 |url-status=dead }}</ref> ||
|-
| {{flag|Maldives}} || 6 || 15 ||
|-
| {{flag|Mexico}} || 6 || 18 || Schooling is required through upper secondary school (Preparatoria).<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.aztecanoticias.com.mx/notas/mexico/95381/calderon-firma-decreto-de-preparatoria-obligatoria |title=Calderón firma decreto de preparatoria obligatoria |author=Laura Casillas |publisher=Azteca Noticias |access-date=8 February 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20120214144527/http://www.aztecanoticias.com.mx/notas/mexico/95381/calderon-firma-decreto-de-preparatoria-obligatoria |archive-date=14 February 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Morocco}} || 6 || 15 ||
|-
| {{flag|Netherlands}} || 5 || 18 || Students are allowed to leave early after obtaining their 'start qualification' (MBO level 2, HAVO or VWO degree).
|-
| {{flag|New Zealand}} || 6 || 16 || Children typically commence school at five years. There is no direct cost until the age of 19.<ref>{{cite web|title=Education in New Zealand|date=17 December 2013|url=https://www.education.govt.nz/ministry-of-education/our-role-and-our-people/education-in-nz/|publisher=Ministry of Education|access-date=19 November 2018}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Norway}} || 6 || 15 || A total of ten years (of study, and not schooling, as suggested here), where Primary school is year 1–7 (without grades), and Lower Secondary school (with grades) is year 8–10.<ref>{{cite web|title=About Education in Norway|url=http://www.udir.no/Upload/Brosjyrer/5/Education_in_Norway.pdf|website=udir.no|publisher=Foreign Ministry of Norway|access-date=14 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160327163436/http://www.udir.no/Upload/Brosjyrer/5/Education_in_Norway.pdf|archive-date=27 March 2016|url-status=dead}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Philippines}} || 5 || 18 || This was modified from 6–16 in 2011 and 2012 due to the introduction of compulsory kindergarten and senior high school.
|-
| {{flag|Poland}} ||6 || 18 || Compulsory education starts with one year of pre-school (kindergarten) education, after which children start primary education.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://welcome.uw.edu.pl/before-you-arrive/educational-system-in-poland/ | title=Educational system in Poland – Welcome Point | date=8 January 2019 }}</ref> Polish law distinguishes between compulsory school (obowiązek szkolny) and compulsory education (obowiązek nauki).
|-
| {{flag|Portugal}} || 6 || 18 || It is the law that children living in Portugal (if they're 6 years old or more) must go to school. Home schooling is available with registration at a school and quarterly examinations in the Portuguese curriculum only.
|-
|{{flag|Romania}}
|5–6
|18–19
|Since 2020, the last year of kindergarten, as well as the last two years of high school were added to compulsory education, bringing compulsory education to a total of 14 years. (see [[Education in Romania#:~:text=Education in Romania is compulsory,in the Romanian education system.|Education in Romania]])
|-
| {{flag|Russia}} || 6 || 17 || Student may leave after age 15 with the approval of parents and the local authority.<ref>Federal law of Russia "On education", article 19.6</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Scotland}} || 5 || 16 || A person is of school age if he has attained the age of five years and has not attained the age of sixteen years.<ref>{{cite web|title=Education (Scotland) Act 1980 – 31 School age|url=https://www.legislation.gov.uk/ukpga/1980/44/section/31}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Slovenia}} || 6 || 15 ||
|-
| {{flag|Singapore}} || 7 || 15<ref>{{cite web|title=COMPULSORY EDUCATION ACT (CHAPTER 51)|url=http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p;page=0;query=DocId%3A%2245ae5cd5-4eb4-41fd-a649-69cb72d46f55%22%20Status%3Ainforce%20Depth%3A0;rec=0|website=Singapore Statutes Online|access-date=2015-01-18|archive-date=2016-10-25|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20161025185247/http://statutes.agc.gov.sg/aol/search/display/view.w3p%3Bpage%3D0%3Bquery%3DDocId%3A%2245ae5cd5-4eb4-41fd-a649-69cb72d46f55%22%20Status%3Ainforce%20Depth%3A0%3Brec%3D0|url-status=dead}}</ref> || Compulsory Education Act 2000. Children who are [[Homeschooling|homeschooled]] may be exempted from the Act. From 2019, children with moderate-to-severe special education needs are no longer exempt from the Act (children with mild special education needs were already covered by the Act).<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.moe.gov.sg/education/education-system/compulsory-education|title=Compulsory Education|website=moe.gov.sg|access-date=25 February 2019}}</ref>
|-
| {{flag|Spain}} || 6 || 16 ||
|-
| {{flag|Syria}} || 6 || 15 || Typical ages for 9 years of compulsory education from grade 1 to grade 9.
|-
| {{flag|Sweden}} || 6 || 16<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.algonet.se/~hogman/skolhistoria.htm|title=Den svenska skolans historia|publisher=Hasses hemsida|author=Hans Högman|language=sv|access-date=6 September 2014|archive-date=24 May 2012|archive-url=https://archive.today/20120524193041/http://www.algonet.se/~hogman/skolhistoria.htm|url-status=dead}}</ref> || All children registered in Sweden have to follow the law of  'skolplikt' (compulsory school attendance). Head teachers can only grant leave of absence if they determine that there are exceptional and very compelling reason for the child to take leave of absence from the school. To go on vacation with the family is usually not an exceptional reason to be granted leave of absence. A fine can be issued for those who do not follow the rules.
|-
| {{flag|Switzerland}} || 4–6 || 15 || Varies by [[Cantons of Switzerland|canton]].<ref name="webgate.ec.europa.eu"/>
|-
| {{flag|Qatar}}|| 5 || 18 || Education shall be compulsory and free for all children from the beginning of the primary stage until the end of the preparatory stage or the age of eighteen, whichever is earlier.
|-
| {{flag|Taiwan}} || 7 || 15 || Typical ages for 9 years (6–15) of compulsory education (starting from 1968) and optional extension (a.k.a. volunteer basic education) to age 18 (non-compulsory starting from 2014).
|-
| {{flag|Thailand}} || 4 || 15 || Only compulsory education applies. School is not compulsory in Thailand.
|-
| {{flag|Turkey}} || 6 || 18 || From the 1st to the 12th grade, education is compulsory. Starting in the educational year of 2012–2013, an education reform took effect to bring the compulsory education up to the end of high school. The system is commonly referred to as 4+4+4.
|-
| {{flag|United States}} || 5–8 || 16–19 || Ages vary between states. Beginning age varies from 5 to 8, ending age varies from 16 to 19.<ref name="US States">[https://nces.ed.gov/programs/digest/d22/tables/dt22_234.10.asp?current=yes Age range for compulsory school attendance and special education services, and policies on year-round schools and kindergarten programs]. Retrieved 25 February 2023.</ref> In ''[[Wisconsin v. Yoder]]'', the [[Supreme Court of the United States|Supreme Court]] determined in 1972 that [[Amish]] children could not be placed under compulsory education laws past the [[junior high school|8th grade]].

|-
| {{flag|Uruguay}} || 6 || 14 ||
|-
| {{flag|Zimbabwe}} || 6 || 16 || Typical ages for 11 years of compulsory education.
|}

==Criticism==
{{main|Criticism of schooling}}
While compulsory education is mostly seen as important and useful, compulsory schooling is seen by some as obsolete and counterproductive in today's world and has repeatedly been the subject of sharp criticism.<ref name="criticism">{{Cite web|last=Strickland|first=Jim|date=7 October 2012|title=Op-ed: Let's get rid of compulsory school days|url=https://www.seattletimes.com/opinion/op-ed-letrsquos-get-rid-of-compulsory-school-days/|website=[[The Seattle Times]]}}</ref> Critics of compulsory schooling argue that such education violates the [[Children's rights|freedom of children]]; is a method of political control;<ref>{{Cite book| publisher = Ludwig von Mises Institute| isbn = 978-0-945466-22-2| last = Rothbard| first = Murray N.| title = Education, free & compulsory| location = Auburn, Ala| date = 1999}}</ref> is ineffective at teaching children how to deal with the "real world" outside of school;<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.independent.co.uk/student/news/schools-are-too-focused-on-exam-results-and-don-t-prepare-students-for-the-workplace-survey-finds-10469021.html|title=Schools are 'too focused on exam results and don't prepare students for the workplace', survey finds|date=24 August 2015|newspaper=The Independent|language=en-GB|access-date=9 September 2024}}</ref> and may have negative effects on children, leading to higher rates of [[apathy]], [[School bullying|bullying]], [[Stress (biology)|stress]], and [[Depression (mood)|depression]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=https://www.psychologytoday.com/us/blog/freedom-learn/201001/the-decline-play-and-rise-in-childrens-mental-disorders|title=The Decline of Play and Rise in Children's Mental Disorders|last=Gray|first=Peter|date=26 January 2010|access-date=20 November 2016}}</ref>

==See also==
*[[Universal access to education]]
*[[Child labour]]
*[[Democratic education]]
*[[History of education]]
*[[Raising of school leaving age]]
*[[State school]]
*[[Unschooling]]

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

==Further reading==

*Coleman, J. S., et al. (1966). ''Equality of Educational Opportunity.'' Washington: U.S. Government Printing Office.
* {{cite book|last=Gardner|first=Richard|title=An address on compulsory education: given before the Church of England School Teachers' Association for West Kent, February 11, 1871|year=1871|publisher=Richard Gardner|location=Tonbridge|title-link=s:An address on compulsory education}}

* Ives, Richard "Compulsory Education and the St. Louis Public School System 1905-1907" ''Missouri Historical Review'' 71 (April 1977): 315-329. [http://digital.shsmo.org/cdm/compoundobject/collection/mhr/id/37277/rec/6?_gl=1*bbun0x*_ga*MTkyNjAzOTc5My4xNjk4NDYxMDM0*_ga_B5NXL6MKLP*MTY5ODU3MjcxNy4yLjAuMTY5ODU3MjcxNy4wLjAuMA.. online]

*Paglayan, A. (2020). "[https://www.cambridge.org/core/journals/american-political-science-review/article/nondemocratic-roots-of-mass-education-evidence-from-200-years/8C8C594AA07996A00ED4BEFC66B133B7 The Non-Democratic Roots of Mass Education: Evidence from 200 Years.]" ''American Political Science Review.''
*Paglayan, Agustina S. (2022), "[[doi:10.1093/oxfordhb/9780197618608.013.45|The Historical Political Economy of Education]]", ''The Oxford Handbook of Historical Political Economy'', pp. 837–856. Oxford University Press,
*Van Horn Melton, J. (1988). ''Absolutism and the Eighteenth-Century Origins of Compulsory Schooling in Prussia and Austria'' Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.
*White, John (1876). "[https://archive.org/stream/fortnightly00unkngoog#page/n904/mode/2up The Laws on Compulsory Education]," ''The Fortnightly Review'', Vol. XXV, pp.&nbsp;897–918.

==External links==
{{wikiquote}}
{{Americana Poster|Education, Compulsory|Compulsory education}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20061230015432/http://www.right-to-education.org/content/age/age_new.pdf A discussion of compulsory education as a human right (Right to education Project)]

{{Education}}
{{Schools}}
{{Human rights}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Compulsory Education}}
[[Category:Compulsory education| ]]
[[Category:Education policy]]
[[Category:Youth rights]]