All educational programmes in Denmark are regulated by the Ministry of Education and administered by local municipalities. ''Folkeskole'' covers the entire period of compulsory education, encompassing primary and lower secondary education. Most children attend ''folkeskole'' for 10 years, from the ages of 6 to 16. There are no final examinations, but pupils can choose to sit an exam when finishing ninth grade (14–15 years old). The test is obligatory if further education is to be attended. Alternatively pupils can attend an independent school (), or a private school (), such as Christian schools or Waldorf schools.