62 Public or private independent schools which are, under certain conditions, equalled to State schools are called scuole paritarie. THE SCHOOL SYSTEM IN ITALY Stages The early childhood education and care (ECEC) system is called Sistema integrato 0-6, it is not compulsory and is divided into: Servizi educativi per l infanzia for children aged less than 3 years; Scuole dell infanzia for children aged from 3 to 6 years. The first cycle of education is made up of: Primary education (istruzione primaria) it starts at 6 and lasts 5 years (no final exam); Lower secondary education (istruzione secondaria di I grado) it starts at 11 and lasts 3 years (final exam to allow progression to the second cycle of education). to catch up with: recuperare compulsory: obbligatorio fee: pagamento, tassa mainstream: tradizionale, pubblico pathway: percorso 128 BABIES AND CHILDREN The second cycle of education starts at 14 and offers two separate pathways: Upper secondary school education (istruzione secondaria di II grado) organised into general (liceo), technical (istituto tecnico), and vocational (istituto professionale) schools. A final exam allows progression to tertiary education; Regional vocational training system (istruzione e formazione professionale) offers three- and four-year courses which allow learners to obtain a qualification to access second-level regional vocational courses. Tertiary education is offered by: Universities (or equivalent institutions); Institutes of the higher education for the fine arts, music, and dance (Alta formazione artistica, musicale e coreutica); Higher educational institutes (Istituti tecnici superiori). Key features Education at all levels is open to everyone, Italian citizens as well as foreign students from both EU and non-EU countries. The system is mainly public, however, private subjects and public bodies can establish independent education institutions. Compulsory education is free, starts at 6 and lasts for 10 years. In addition, everyone has a right and a duty to receive education and training for at least 12 years within the education system or until they have obtained a three-year vocational qualification by the age of 18. Pupils and students with disabilities attend mainstream education. Inclusion aims at developing the potentials of persons with disabilities in learning, communication, relationships, and socialisation. After school activities are provided in different ways according to the ages of the students and offer the chance to do homework, socialise, and do sports. Public schools organise courses for students who need to catch up with the school year programme during the year (Corsi di recupero). Meals are served for a fee only to children in the ECEC system and primary education, who usually attend school up to 4 pm. Secondary school children who usually attend school only up to 2 pm do not usually eat at school but may have access to independent school caf s run by private businesses in case of extra activities.