Education in the U.S.S.R.: Recent Legislation and Statistics.

Overview & Synopsis

Recent developments and emerging trends in Soviet education, as reflected in legislation and statistical reports, are reported. First, the structure of Soviet secondary and higher education is outlined. Then, a description is given of the July 1973 Fundamentals, a legislative statement of principles focusing on the Soviet ideal of the education system. Equal educational opportunity, free tuition for all education after kindergarten, and citizen right to enroll in higher education with appropriate prior education are emphasized. Comparative statistics are given for Soviet and U.S. education in terms of specific education levels, nationality groups, and women. Trends in Soviet education include the (1) growth of nursery, kindergarten, and upper-secondary school enrollments; (2) increase in the general education component in vocational schools; (3) large role of secondary schools for technical specialization; and (4) continuing focus in higher education on developing specialists to serve the needs of the national economy. Soviet educational needs include revising the curriculum, improving the teaching quality, and broadening the training of specialists. (AV)