National Overview: Russia

Definition of Literacy -- over 15 years old can read and write

Written or Oral Language – Russia has both a written and oral language

Literacy rate -- total: 99.6%, female: 99.5%, male: 99.7%

Overview of Education -- Russia has a long-standing tradition of academic excellence. Russian universities of math and science are of the highest caliber. Today’s education system is a carryover from the Soviet Union when the government funded all schools. However, because of the economic collapse after the fall of the Soviet Union, many schools had difficulties in providing all services. In response to this problem, about one third of Russia’s students now pay for their higher education. Private institutions have also emerged. As a result of the free of charge status of most of Russian schools, most Russians receive an extensive education regardless of economic status.

Total expenditure on education -- 10.7% of total expenditure, 3.8% of GDP

Script/Alphabet used -- Russian is written from left to right using a Cyrillic alphabet

Occupational distribution -- agriculture: 10.3%, industry: 21.4%, services: 68.3%

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School Structure

Primary School:

• Length: 9 years
• Age level: 6 - 15 years old

Professional School:

• Length: 4 years
• Age level: 15 -19 years old

Preparatory Secondary School:

• Length: 2 years
• Age level: 15-17 years old

Higher Education:

There are many Russian universities. A bachelor’s degree can be obtained in 4 years, a specialist’s degree in 5-6 years, and a master’s degree in 6 years.

Note: the Russian school system is not organized as the American system is. After completion of the 9th grade, students receive a Certificate of Incomplete Secondary Education. At that point, students have the choice to go to a community college or professional school (PTU), which teach only professional skills; these schools usually last 4 years. Students can also go to a preparatory secondary school for 2 years. After the completion of the preparatory secondary school a student receives a Certificate of Complete Secondary Education. He or Shy may then go on to higher education.

Public or private schools and compulsory or optional -- Most schools are public, but since the fall of the Soviet Union many private schools have opened. School is compulsory up to the 9th grade.

School Attendance % -- 98%

Percent Education level achieved -- primary: 98%, secondary: 92%, higher education: 52%

Post-Secondary Opportunities -- There are over a thousand higher education institutions in Russia. Most of them are free, so many students choose to continue their education. 20% of Russians aged 30 to 59 hold a master’s degree.

Pupil to teacher ratio -- 1:17

Teacher Qualifications -- a primary school teacher must have at least a two-year college degree. A secondary school teacher must have a four-year degree. A teacher at a higher education institution must have a post-graduate degree.

Languages in School -- Russian and English

Method of instruction and Subjects/Curriculum -- Learning is done through lecture; students are not encouraged to voice their opinion in class. The memorization of facts is emphasized. Standard subjects are studied, but math and science are most popular.

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Culture of Classroom

Physical Environment -- Schools are generally in modern buildings in both urban and rural settings. Desks are usually arranged in a traditional fashion with rows of student’s desks facing the instructor.

Culture of classroom including discipline – discipline is much stricter in Russia than in the United States. Teachers have a much more authoritarian role. Students are not allowed to sit laid back or with their legs on the chair in front of them; they must always sit upright. However, attitudes towards tardiness and absence are much more lenient. Contrary to the American attitude that it is up to the student as to how much effort he or she puts into his or her studies, in Russia teachers are seen to be there to give students knowledge and it is perceived as almost a personal insult to the teacher if a student does not complete his or her work.

Gender roles in classroom -- There is some difference in the expectations of boys and girls. Boys are expected to complete professional school more often than girls. Girls are encouraged to complete standard higher education instead.

Parent involvement/Parent Role in Education -- parents in Russia are not as hands-on as they are in the United States. The only real obligation they have is to meet with the teacher once per semester when they are told of the general status of their student.

Accommodations -- if a student must live away from home to go to school, free accommodation is provided.

Access to Education

Educational barriers -- There are very few educational barriers since most schools are free of charge.

Gender access -- the percentage of girls who go to school is very slightly lower than the percentage of boys. However, the percentage of girls in higher education is actually higher that for boys.

Socio-political influences -- education has a high priority in Russia, so children are encouraged not only to complete general education, but also to go on to higher education.

Progress -- there is a movement to reform the education system so that is resembles the United States model. However, because of the emphasis on math and science this has not gathered enough support to be implemented.

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Sources

“Russia.” Wikipedia. www.wikipedia.org/wiki/Russia. March 29, 2006.

The World Factbook. The Central Intelligence Agency.

http://www.cia.gov/cia/publications/factbook/geos/rs.html. January 10, 2006.

United Nations Education, Scientific, and Cultural Organization.

www.vis.unesco.org/profiles/EN/EDU/countryprofile-ed. March, 2002.

“Russia.” The European Education Directory. http://www.euroeducation.net/prof/russco.htm. 2002.

Russinov, Andrey. Interview. March 2006.

Last Revised

02 Nov 2006