General education in Russia

In the day nurseries children learn the ABCs of reading, writing and counting. Children are divided into three age groups: 3-5 - year-olds, 5-6 year-olds and 6-year-olds. In game forms, the children learn not only to read, write and count, but also to draw, design simple things, sing and dance.

However, preschool facilities are still in short supply. Secondary education, which is compulsory, now lasts 11 years. It consists of three levels. The first may start at the age of six or seven and continue for three or four years. This has been a major innovation for school system which before had a common school-age limit and course of tuition. This has become basic schooling for all.

The second level is five years of instruction with a wide choice of subjects. Parents may choose the curriculum according to the abilities and inclinations of their children. The third level consists of two years of instruction. Every pupil can make particular choice which subjects he or she wants to study: sciences, humanities, biology, linguistics, etc. There are to be no more than five compulsory subjects: the native tongue, literature, general and modern history, natural science. Other subjects, like maths, art studies and physical education are still under debate in the teaching profession.

After getting secondary education you can get secondary special and higher education. There are thousands of colleges and secondary technical schools in our country. There are 98 Universities, large academic and research centres, which train specialists in the natural and exact sciences and the humanities. In the first two or three years there is a common curriculum for all related faculties. Specialisation usually begins in the third or fourth year. Economy, philosophy and a foreign language are obligatory subjects at all higher education establishments. There are physical training and shorts classes. Under the guidance of their professors students engage in research work. Training at institutions of higher learning may last from four to six years.

Russian institutions of higher education and specialised secondary schools are attended by foreign students from different countries.