GENERAL SECONDARY EDUCATION

The system of public education in Russia covers preschool education, general secondary education, out-of-school activities, vocational-technical education, specialized secondary education, higher education.

Free, compulsory education is available for all children between the age of 7 and 17. Even remote areas have a full education service. Most children attend pre-school kindergarten and continue in further education after they are 17.

Preschool education is considered to be part of a unified system of education. It includes creches which look after children from 2 years old and up to three years, and nursery schools (or kindergartens) which accept children aged from 3 to 6 years inclusive.

Primary school consists of a four-year course for children at the age of six or seven years old. Another five years of studies give children nine-year education. At this stage pupils take Single State Examinations. After completing the 9th form some pupils enter technical or vocational schools where, in three or four years, they get their secondary education as well as a sound knowledge of the fundamentals of the production process and a high level of technical knowledge. The rest graduates of the 9th form receive 11-year education at general secondary schools where they study three more years.

Most children attend school six days a week. The school day begins at 8.30 a.m. and ends at 2.30 p.m. Pupils study basic subjects including Russian, which is compulsory, though ethnic minorities have the right to teaching and textbooks in their own languages. Other basic subjects include mathematics, geography, history, social studies and a foreign language. English is the most popular foreign language.

There are three types of secondary schools. Most pupils attend general secondary schools, where they add computer studies and more science subjects to their timetables. Particularly gifted pupils are selected for special secondary schools, where they receive extra tuition in such topics as art, music, languages or electronics. Vocational secondary schools concentrate on subjects, such as mathematics, chemistry or physics.

The aim of the new school reform is to achieve a combination of general secondary education with overall vocational training.

There is a network of boarding schools in our country where pupils not only study, but live, have their meals and clothes.

Apart from ordinary nursery and secondary schools there are special ones for physically and mentally handicapped children. Those suffering from poor health go to sanatorium-type nursery and secondary schools, most of which are located in suburbs and the seashore localities.

Education in Russia is not free at every level.