Особенности учебного процесса в разных странах, Академическая мобильность, страница 6

Educational policy in Russian Federation focuses on how to help people develop useful knowledge and skills. The idea is to develop the critical, adaptable, multi-skilled and creative person.  Education is given in many languages, and according to their parents’ wish children may attend Russian schools or national schools where they are taught in their native language. 

There have been many changes in the system of Public Education in Russia but the basic principles have remained unchanged. Characteristic features of our public education are:

1.  The equal right to education for all citizens is guaranteed by the Constitution.

2.  Full-time education is compulsory up to the middle teenage years;

3.  Co-education, no separate men’s or women’s schools.

4.  Free tuition throughout the state system.

5.  Non-state and private educational establishments must meet the Education Standard Requirements.

The unified system of public education in Russian Federation consists of the following chief types:

1. Compulsory general secondary education (state general secondary schools, lycees, gymnasiums, private schools). The educational reform at school has been through a period of constant change. The first three or four years at school are the primary school. Pupils may leave school after the 9th form and continue their education in evening or shift school for working youth.

2. Specialized secondary education (colleges).

3. Technical vocational education.

4. Higher education (institutes, academies, classic universities, polytechnics, specialized universities, technical universities). Entrance to the university is by competitive examination or by the results of the Unified State Exam which is open to anyone between the age 17 and 35 having secondary education. Those who passed entrance examinations with merit and credit receive monthly financial support in the form of state grants. Students pay nothing for lectures and for using the laboratory equipment. If the applicants did not fail in the examinations but their results are satisfactory they can gain entrance but must pay for their education. They are required to pay fees to contribute to the high standard of tuition and facilities that are provided.

The complete course at the university lasts for 5 years, in some educational establishments it may be a little longer or shorter. Students have lectures and practical hours. They attend lectures on different subjects: mathematics, physics, chemistry, philosophy, history of Russia, economics, strength of materials, drawing and others and take notes of them. Studying at the university is a great experience for students because theoretical material is always supported by practical exercises. During practical hours in the laboratories and shops they study the material of the lectures. Students learn their skills on state-of-the-art equipment and are taught by highly accomplished professionals with strongly balanced focus on both intellectual developments and real world preparation.

Students can borrow books from the university library and use computer-assisted learning materials to read for credit tests and exams.

The academic year is divided into two terms from September to January and from February to July. Students take examinations at the end of a term and can be transferred to the next course. On completion of studies the student presents a graduation thesis or passes final state examinations.

The classic universities train highly qualified specialists in sciences and humanities. The specialized universities train specialists for one of the fields of culture or national economy. The graduates of specialized technical universities are well grounded in a specific field of engineering. Special attention is given to the training of technical engineering personnel in most important branches of modern transport, industrial and housing construction.

In all higher educational institutions there are some optional courses which provide students with an opportunity to study besides obligatory subjects, subjects they are most interested in.