Secondary education provides learning and educational activities building on primary education and preparing for labour market entry, post-secondary non-tertiary education and tertiary education. Broadly speaking, secondary education aims at learning at an intermediate level of complexity. ISCED distinguishes between lower and upper secondary education (ISCED levels 2 and 3).
UIS. 2012. International Standard Classification of Education, ISCED 2011. Montreal: UIS.
While the expansion of secondary education has been significant, challenges remain. Millions of students leave school without completing 12 years of education. Furthermore, expansion does not guarantee equal access and quality of provision. (Jacinto, 2011: 2)
Jacinto, Claudia. 2011. « Meeting the expectations of youth ». IIEP Newsletter XXIX, no 2.