<P> Ministry of Education statistics showed 261,962 tertiary students during the 2011 / 2012 schoolyear: 202,063 in the public sector and 59,899 in the private sector, attending 142 institutions . </P> <P> In 2011, the primary school net enrolment rate was 84%, a figure described by UNICEF as "far ahead" of the Sub-Saharan average . In its 2013 - 14 report, the World Economic Forum ranked Ghana 46th out of 148 countries regarding the education system quality . </P> <P> The Ghanaian education system is divided in three parts: "Basic Education", secondary cycle and tertiary Education . "Basic Education" lasts 11 years (Age 4 - 15), is free and compulsory . It is divided into Kindergarten (2 years), primary school (2 modules of 3 years) and Junior High school (3 years). The junior high school (JHS) ends on the Basic Education Certificate Examination (BECE). Once the BECE achieved, the pupil can pursue into secondary cycle . Secondary cycle can be either general (assumed by Senior High School) or vocational (assumed by technical Senior High School, Technical and vocational Institutes and a massive private and informal offer). Senior High school lasts three years and ends on the West African Secondary School Certificate Examination (WASSCE). Other secondary institutions leads to various certifications and diplomas . Tertiary education is basically divided into university (academic education) and Polytechnics (vocational education). The WASSCE is needed to join a university bachelor's degree program. A bachelor's degree lasts 4 years and can be followed by a 1 or 2 year Master . The student is then free to start a Phd, usually completed in 3 years . Polytechnics are opened to vocational students, from SHS or from TVI . A Polytechnic curriculum lasts 2 to 3 years . Ghana also possesses numerous colleges of education . New tertiary education graduates have to serve one year within the National Service Scheme . The Ghanaian education system from Kindergarten up to an undergraduate degree level takes 20 years . </P> <P> The academic year usually goes from August to May inclusive . The school year lasts 40 weeks in Primary school and SHS, and 45 weeks in JHS . </P>

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