Школьное образование в России.

School Education in Russia.

Russians have always shown a great concern for education. The right to education is stated in the Constitution of the Russian Federation. It is ensured by compulsory secondary schools, vocational schools and higher educational establishments. Before school children, as a rule, attend nurseries. In the day nurseries children learn the ABCs of reading, writing and counting. In the form of games children learn not only to read, write and count but also to draw, design simple things, sing and dance. Secondary education which is compulsory now lasts 11 years. It consists of 3 levels. Primary education, the first level may start at the age of 6 or 7 and continue for 4 years. This has become basic schooling for all. The second level is 5 years of instruction with a wide choice of subjects. Parents may choose the curriculum according to the abilities and inclinations of their children. The third level consists of 2 years of instruction. Every pupil can make particular choice which subject he or she wants to study. School takes place every day of the week except Sunday. Every lesson lasts 45 minutes with breaks from 10 to 20 minutes. Many schools have experimented with a five-day week and 40 minutes lessons. The school year begins in September and ends in May. It is divided into 4 terms with holidays up to 10 days between them. The summer holidays last from June to September. There is no doubt that educational opportunities are greater than they used to be.