According to Article 26 of the School Law, the task of the primary school is to introduce the pupils to basic knowledge and skills. It should also assist in character building and in preparing the children for the secondary school by developing their ability to think and express themselves.

Entry into the primary school denotes the beginning of obligatory schooling. Entrance is open to children who have reached the age of six by the end of June in the current year. Primary education is free of charge, lasts for five years and the schools are heterogeneous. Pupils at different levels of development, with differing social skills and abilities - as well as with differing social and linguistic backgrounds - come together.

Primarily schools are financed by the municipalities; every municipality has its own primary school. In addition to the public primary schools there are two private schools: the Liechtenstein Waldorf School and the ‘formatio’ bilingual private school . These schools are privately funded schools, but they are subsidised by the state which makes contributions for each pupil. The majority of pupils in Liechtenstein attend a public primary school (cf. Table 1.1.1).