1. Is the school education in Russia compulsory?
2. How long does the compulsory schooling in Great Britain last?
3. What kind of pre – schools do you know?
4. Are these kinds of preschools compulsory?
5. When do children begin to go to school in the USA?
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EDUCATION IN RUSSIA
In the Russian Federation the school education is compulsory. Pupils begin to go to school at the age of six or seven. When they complete high grades they can either continue to study at school for 2 years, or go to a professional schools where they study not only main subjects, but are able to learn some professions. When school pupils leave school they can try to continue their education in institutes or universities.
There are many types of schools in Russia: specialized, polytechnical, musical, art and others. Nowadays some new types of schools appeared: gymnasiums and colleges. Citizens of Russia have the right to education which is guaranteed by the Constitution. The public educational system in our country incorporates pre-school, general school, specialized secondary and higher education.
Pre-schools consist of kindergartens and crèches. Children there learn reading, writing and arithmetic. But pre-school education isn’t compulsory-children can get it at home.
Compulsory education is for children from 6 (7) to 17 years of age. There are various types of schools: general secondary schools, schools specializing in a certain subject, high schools, lyceum and so on. Tuition in most of them is free of charge, but some new types of schools are fee-paying. The term of study in a general secondary school is 11 years and consists of primary, middle and upper stages.
After the 9th form pupils have to take examinations. Also they have a choice between entering the 10th grade of a general secondary school and entering a specialized secondary or vocational school.
Persons who finish the general secondary school, receive a secondary education certificate, giving them the right to enter any higher educational establishment. One can also enter the institution of higher learning having completed one's secondary education in a professional school. Entrance examinations are held in July and August. Institutions are headed by rectors; the faculties are headed by the deans. One has to study in the institute for 4 years to get the Bachelor’s degree, and after that for 2 years to get Master’s degree. Higher educational institutions train students in one or several specializations. Entry to higher education is quite competitive. Some college departments (philologist, foreign languages especially English, law, journalism) have dozens of applicants for one prospective student's position. The same is true of medical and theatre institutes. Students with good grades are rewarded with a modest stipend.
EDUCATION IN GREAT BRITAIN
The system of education in Great Britain is determined by the National Education Acts. Schools in England are supported from public funds. There are several basic features of public education in Britain. Firstly, there are wide variations between one part of the country and another. Secondly, education in Britain mirrors the country’s social system: it is class divided and selective. The first division is between those who pay and those who do not pay. Another important feature of schoolchildren. The English school syllabus is divided into Arts and Sciences, which determines the division of the secondary school pupils into study groups. The National Education Act of 1944 provided three stages of education. Compulsory schooling in England and Wales lasts 11 years, from the age of 5 to 16. After the age of 16 a growing number of school students are staying on at school, some until 18 or 19, the age of entry into higher educational universities. British university courses are rather short, generally lasting for 3 years. The cost of education depends on the college and specialty which one chooses.
In some areas of England there are nursery schools for children under 5 years of age. Some children between 2 and 5 receive education in nursery classes or in infant classes in primary schools. Most children start school at 5 in a primary school.
A primary school may be divided into two parts – infants and juniors. At 7 children go on from the infant schools to the junior schools. They study reading, composition, history, geography, Nature Study, Art and Music, Physical Education, Swimming are also on the timetable. The pupils are streamed according to their abilities to learn into A, B, C and streams.
After the age of 11, most children go to comprehensive school of which the majority are for both – boys and girls. About 90% of all state – financed secondary schools are of this type. Most other children receive secondary education in grammar and secondary modern schools. At 18 most public school – leavers gain entry to universities.
The academic year in Britain’s Universities, Polytechnics, Colleges of Education is divided into three terms, which usually run from the beginning of October to the middle of December, from the middle of January to the end of March, and from the middle of April to the end of June or the beginning of July.
There are 46 universities in Britain. English universities greatly differ from each other. They differ in date of foundation, size, history, tradition, general organization, methods of instruction, way of student life. After three years of study, a university graduate will leave with the Degree of Bachelor of Arts, Science, Engineering, Medicine, etc. Later he may continue to take the Master’s Degree and then the Doctor’s Degree. Research is an important feature of university work.
EDUCATION IN THE USA
Americans place a high value on education. Universal access to quality education has been one of the nation's historic goals. America's first college, Harvard was founded in 1636. In 1865 education was becoming available to all. The peculiar feature of American education is the absence of national administration. Each of the 50 states controls and directs its own schools. There is no national school curriculum in the United States either. But certain common features exist. Preschool education is part of the elementary schools. Elementary and secondary schools consist of twelve years of classes which meet for about ten months a year, five days a week and five hours a day. Almost every elementary school curriculum includes English, mathematics, science, social studies, music, art and physical education. Many schools include classes teaching basic computer skills.
The U.S. education has three stages and different levels.
Pre-schooling (at the age of 3 – 5 years): a nursery school and a kindergarten.
School education (at the age of 6 – 18; 12 grades or school years): an elementary
school, a high school (junior, senior levels); a high school diploma or a certificate of education.
Higher Education (at the age of 18); institutions of higher learning:
After graduating from secondary schools a growing number of Americans go on to higher education. American institutions of higher education include: technical training schools, community colleges (three years of study); colleges offering four-year bachelor degree programmes; and universities which contain one or more colleges and graduate schools Offering master's or doctoral degree programmes. The factors determining an institution's prestige are the quality of the teaching faculty; quality of research facilities; the number and competence of applicants for admission.