Education in Russia

Russian Schools places emphasis on reading and mathematics which helped it to maintain its high literacy rate of 98%. Most Russians go on to university and men are allowed to delay or even avoid national service by doing so. Although Russian teachers and professors are respected by their international peers, their government paid salaries are one of the lowest in the country.

Education in Russia is split up into compulsory basic education which lasts 9 years and higher education. Graduates of the basic general education can then continue their education at a senior high school to receive secondary general education or enter an initial vocational school or non-university level higher education institutions. Higher Education is provided by public or non-public accredited higher education institutions. There are three levels of higher education: 1. Incomplete higher education (at least 2 years), 2. Basic Higher education (4 years) leading to a Bakalavr's degree which is equivalent to a Bachelor's degree, 3. Postgraduate Higher Education leading to a Magistr's degree which is equivalent to a Master's degree.

Currently in Russia, there are 609 public higher education institutions and 206 accredited Non-State accredited higher education institutions. The ministry of education only finances 315 public higher education institutions while the rest are financed by other ministries or local authorities. There are about 3000 non-university level educational institutions.

References:

http://www.spainexchange.com/guide/RU-education.htm

http://www.studyrussian.com/MGU/russian-education-system.html

http://books.google.com/books?id=98KCfjd6E7YC&pg=PA72&dq=russia+culture+travel&hl=en&ei=W4z_TPjXBYHjrAfbsISFCA&sa=X&oi=book_result&ct=result&resnum=9&ved=0CFUQ6AEwCDgK#v=onepage&q&f=false