SOVIET SCHOOLS

Evening Post, Volume CXVIII, Issue 23, 27 July 1934, Page 12

SOVIET SCHOOLS

The Soviet Government has formally « conferred on eleven professors the degree of Doctor of Science, these being the first recipients of this newly-revived pre-revolutionary title, says the Ei 2 a correspondent of th'p London "Times " The main forms of the Tsarist educational system have now been re--established throughout the U.S.S.E. after*a few tentative experiments. In the first stage of the Revolution all elementary and secondary schools wero dissolved and a new type of "uniform Labour school" established, where thu pupils had wide powers over the teachers; All examinations were abolished, as well as learned titles. Since January these schools have beeri re-established and the teachers re-endowed with authority to maintain discipline. Three types of school are now in existence, ivitn four-year, seven-year, and ten-year courses respectively. Strict annual examinations are prescribed, and only thoso who finish the ten-year course are entitled to enter the universities without examination. University graduates receive tho title of "candidate" or "doctor." The school syllabus has also been altered by the compulsory re-intro-duction of discarded subjects, particularly ancient and medieval history and classical literature.

In tho absence of sufficient testbooks seven "shock brigades," each headed by a university professor have been appointed to produce the required number before June, 1935.