2 Trends in Educational Reform in Various Major Countries of the World
(5) U.S.S.R.
In the U.S.S.R. also, reforms in educational structure, content
and method are being urged for the 1970's. In 1970 a plan to extend compulsory
education to ten years was started, and efforts are being made to accomplish
this objective. The division between elementary education and secondary education
is also to be amended in this year. The division previously had been 4 years
elementary education. 4 years lower secondary education and 2 years upper secondary
education. This will be reformed into 3 years elementary education; 5 years lower
secondary education and 2 years upper secondary education.
In terms of educational content and method there has been a
tendency toward uniformity but recently elective subjects were introduced for
pupils above the seventh grade, and special schools for especially talented pupils
in the fields of mathematics, physics, chemistry and foreign languages were established.
More emphasis is now put on education to develop individual abilities and to
meet individual aptitudes. Efforts are also being made to improve and advance
the comprehensive technical education, which has been the basic element in education
since the revolution. Moreover, since 1950, nursery school-kindergartens, which
begin education two months after birth, have been established. In addition, at
all levels night schools and correspondence education have been greatly expanded,
thereby opening education to working youths and adults.