Primary schools accept children who attain the age of five years and nine months and provide a six year programme leading to entrance in a secondary school programme. This level of education is, by law, compulsory hence parents can be deemed negligent if a child older than five years and nine months is not enrolled and does not attend school. Students receive five hours of school per day from Monday to Friday. A school year has approximately 378 sessions or l89 days. The programme in the Community High School is designed to prepare students for life in the Guyanese society by developing in them practical skills which will make them employable for a variety of jobs required by the society.
Students undergo a four year programme.
During the first two years, they are exposed to basic academic studies, i.e., English Language, Mathematics, Science, Social Studies, Health and Physical Education and Music, and pre-vocational activities such as Art and Craft, Agriculture, Home Economics and Industrial Arts and vocational activities needed in the community. As students are guided through the first two-year phase, their aptitudes, interests and abilities are identified. In the final two years, emphasis is placed on vocational activities while basic academic studies continue to be an important part of the school experience. Based on ability, interest and aptitude, students are guided by teachers to select one vocation or part of it on which they will concentrate, e.g. Agriculture, Arts and Crafts, Home Economics or Industrial Arts. An important experience during the second period is exposure to actual job experiences and tasks which enable participants to prepare for their working lives.