Organization
Types of Institutions
Based on law on pre university education Upper secondary education is organized into gymnasium [gjimnaze], vocational education institutions [arsim professional]; and oriented education [arsim i orientuar]. General upper secondary education institution offer education for a duration of three years. The institutions for general upper secondary education are called [Gjimnaz] gymnasium.
Admission criteria and choice of school
In order to register to general upper secondary education students must have completed the integrated basic and lower secondary education and possess the relevant certification.
Based on the law on pre-university education students who are twenty one year old or older and did not complete gymnasium can attend part time or in distance education at this level. This type of education is not obligatory and there is no criteria for choice of school so students can choose any school.
Age levels and grouping of students
Age levels for this type of education vary from 16 to 19 years old based on the law on pre-university education. This type of education is not obligatory. Students are grouped in respective classes (classes X-XIII). Usually a class is composed of no less than 10 students and of no more than 35 students.
Organization of school time
School time is organized by respective orders of Minister of Education and Sports that change on yearly basis. School time is organized similarly to integrated basic and lower secondary education. For matura students the year ends earlier (one month prior to exams) so that they can have the necessary time to study for their matura exams.
Certification
The end certificate at basic education and lower secondary education level is Maturity Certificate [Dëftesë Pjekurie] which is provided following the completion of maturity exams and is also available online at SMIP.