1. What do we know about the system of education in our country?

2. In Russia there are nine years of compulsory education.

3. School starts at the age of 6 for Russian children.

4. The school year begins in September,1 and lasts until May,25

5. We have public or state schools and independent schools. State schools are free of charge, but independent ones are not.

6. The school year is divided into four terms separated by one- or two- week holidays.

7. School summer holidays last for three months.

8. Nearly all schools work a six-day week and are closed on Sundays.

9. A day starts at 8 or 9 o’clock and lasts till 1 o’clock in the afternoon.

10. 68% of Russian children aged 5 are enrolled in kindergartens.

11. Compulsory education is free of charge.

12. The eleven-year term is split into elementary (grades 1-4), middle(5-6) and senior (9-11) classes.

13. Education in Russia is provided predominantly by the state and is regulated by the Federal Ministry of Education and Science.

14. At the end of the 11 th form children have exams.

15. In January 2007 the law on the introduction of the Union State Examination was approved by the State Duma.

16. Upon complition of a nine-year program they have a choice of either compliting the remaining 2 years at normal school or transfer to specialized professional training school. They are devided into PTSs, technical and medical schools.

17. Higher education. There are two levels of higher education…

18. Basic higher education (4-5 years) leading to the Bachelor’s degree, the first university level degree

19. Postgraduate higher education (5-6 years).

20. Russian universities have competitive requirements.

21. Best universities: Moscow State University is the largest in the country, founded in 1755 by Michail Lomonosov. It has 24 faculties.

22. Russian State Medical University is one of the oldest medical schools, founded in 1906.

23. Bauman Moscow State Technical University- a leader of Russian engineering education.

24. St. Petersburg State University of Fine Mechanics is a unique university of optics.

25. Tomsk State University is the higher educational institution in vast area from the Urals to the the Pacific Ocean.