That growth was paralleled by diversification of students' scholastic abilities and reasons for undertaking higher education. Problems include the large number of students who drop out or repeat years during the first cycle of undergraduate studies because of poor academic performance. Steps have been taken to facilitate study. Another priority is the alleviation of shortages of teachers and facilities resulting from the rapid growth of the student population. The costs are being shared by the central and local governments.
Specialized education begins in the first cycle.
Faced with a dramatic increase in the student population in the first cycle and the diversification of students' scholastic ability and reasons for study, the authorities have implemented the following measures with the aims of facilitating advancement to the second cycle and of assisting study. Under the new system students are allowed to advance to the second cycle even if they have not gained passing marks in all subjects, provided that their overall score meets the required standard. The emphasis placed on general education in the first term of the first year has been increased. This measure is designed to enable students to make intelligent decisions about the specialized fields in which they are interested. Since 1990 the government has been increasing the number of student places in technical junior colleges that train middle-level technicians and in technical grandes ecoles.