 Education is free and compulsory for children between 6 and 18 years of age.It includes five years of universal primary school, three years of secondary school and finally five years of high school leading to the "Maturità" exam and the award of a "diploma", which, in turn gives access to professions such as draughtsman-surveyor or teacher, and university courses.Primary school includes free books but not uniform or transport, and from the age of 12 the cost of books and transport, and all other fees for secondary school, are the responsibility of the family.