Speak about the system of education in Ukraine, will you?

Present day independent Ukraine has a well-developed system of education which matches the standards of the developed countries. Pre-school education is not compulsory and is fee-paying. Most parents take their children to nursery schools or kindergartens at the age of three. Up to the age of five children mostly eat, sleep and play there, but in senior groups they are taught the basics of arithmetic, reading writing, arts and in some schools foreign languages.

Compulsory secondary education begins at the age of 6 – 7 and is free in state schools and fee-paying in private ones. Some schools, especially those with the language slant, have preparatory classes. Secondary education includes three stages: primary (1^st – 4^th grades), basic (5^th – 9^th grades) and senior (10^th – 11^th). In regular secondary schools children start learning foreign languages from the first grade and have fewer lessons of language a week than specialized language schools. Recently new types of schools have appeared: gymnasiums and lyceums. In addition, there are schools with technical, computer, mathematical, law, pedagogical and art slant. All the subjects in the secondary schools are obligatory but there are optional courses that students of senior grades can take in addition to required ones.

Extra-curricular activities usually include a variety of sports and drama clubs, interest groups and various school parties.

Those senior students who want to get qualification alongside the secondary education, can go to vocational training schools. Post-secondary education is provided by technical schools and colleges of 1^st and 2^nd Level of Accreditation that train young specialists in different trades.

Institutions of higher learning (higher educational establishments) include universities, academies, institutes and conservatories. They all hold entrance examinations to select the best applicants to be their students. Among the best known higher educational establishments there are Shevchenko Kyiv National University, Kyiv Polytechnic University, International Independent University “Kyiv-Mohyla Academy”, Kyiv State Conservatory, Lviv State University, Kharkiv State University, Kharkiv State Pedagogical University, Kharkiv State Polytechnic University and others.

Post graduate education begins after the last year of studies and usually results in theses on the chosen scientific topic and the degree of the Candidate of Science. Doctorate Degree is awarded for an outstanding scientific research.

Speak on the following

1. What do you like and dislike in the system of education of our country? What would you like to change, if you could?
2. Do you think there should be private and state schools? Why? Give your reasons. Which of these schools do you go to? Which would you like to study at?
3. Do you think higher education should be free or fee-paying? Give your reasons.
4. Do you think schools should pay much attention to extra-curricular activities or should they just teach compulsory subjects?
5. What is your opinion about developing “social skills” at schools? Where else could they be developed?
6. The system of education in Ukraine is considered to be one of the most successful in the world. Do you agree with this?
7. Would you like to study abroad? Why?