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The demand for pre-primary education is quite low in Uganda with an estimated 10% of the total possible "school-going" population attending a pre-primary school. In 1997 free primary education for up to four children per family was introduced but this was soon extended to all children. At the time, in one year, the numbers attending primary school increased by over 70%, putting huge demands on the system. Although primary education is in theory free, many schools have top up fees, and with uniform costs are not actually free. There are also many private primary schools, often of a higher standard than the state schools. These are very popular, if they can be afforded. There are seven levels in the primary sector, Primary one to Primary seven (P1-P7). It is usual for children when they reach six years of age to join the first level P1. Typically children leave primary school (P7) when they are thirteen years old, although if pupils have missed some of their education (perhaps due to the lack of school fees) they could be older. It is not unusual to have a wide range of ages in any given year. Children in primary schools take four main subjects, English, Maths, Science and SST. SST stands for Social Studies, which includes Geography, History and Religious Studies. Some Primary schools offer Agriculture as a fifth subject. Pupils are examined in each subject at the end of each term. There is a final examination in P7, the results of which determine which secondary school pupils might go to. However as secondary schools are fee paying only approximately 25% pupils having completed their primary education move onto the secondary education. The school year is divided into three terms and starts in February. School dates for the 2010 academic year are: Term 1 ......1st February - 23rd April
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