The educational system of the Republic of the Sudan is organized and supervised by the Ministry of Education in accordance with principles set down in the Proposed General Education Act of 1976. According to this legislation, education in government schools is free but not compulsory, strictly selective, offered to children who have reached the age of seven, and generally provided to boys and girls in separate schools. Most children under seven years of age attend Koranic schools, although some kindergarten and nursery programs exist in the larger towns. Six years of general education are provided in the primary schools, followed by an additional three years of general courses for children who pass an examination. Higher secondary education programs, which range from two to four years duration, are offered in general studies, technical, vocational, commercial, home economics, and handicraft subjects to those who pass the entrance examination. All types of higher secondary education certificates qualify students for entrance to the university and other institutes of higher education. Priority areas for educational development since 1974 are universal basic education for children and adults, correlation of education to environment and national development, modernization, equal opportunity to both sexes in all regions of the country, and expansion of teacher education. The major drawback to reform in these areas is lack of funds. (Author/DB)