Evening star., 1946-09-06
~asasia
Freedom in Soviet Subordinate
To Party Policy, Report Finds

Ine report declares tnaI SOVIET
Accomplishments in raising the
level of educational attainment of
the population have been impress
sive.' 1t cites statistics showing
that the number of pupils in all age
groups increased from $500, 900 in
1914 to 20,400, 900 in 1889 in the
Federstive Socialist Republic, with
similar growths in other Republics
Of the Union.
'"The total enrolment in 1899 was
a, 400, 900. Illiteracy has been al
most completely wiped out in the
Soviet Union. In 1914 there were
24,700 students in 81 universities and
institutes; in 1941, 564,573 students
in 1872 universities and colleges" the
report continues.
During the calendar year 1945
the Soviet government spent about
"a, 900 ,000, 900 current rubles on edu-
cation, over per cent of the ma
tional income of approximately $685.
600 900 900 current rubles. During
the school year 1944-45, the total
amount spent in the United States
for all types and levels Of education,
public and private, was about $3,-
500 900 900, or little over 2 per
cent of the national income Of
$161 ,000, ,000, 900 for 1945.
"It should be noted that in the
Soviet Union educational institu-
tions include the state theaters, Ii
braries, operas and cinemas, which
are partly self-supporting. The cost
of physical training, separately
itemized in the Soviet budget, is
largely included in expenditures for
education in the United States. The
compatibility OF the data on ex-
penditures for education in the So
Wet Union and in the United States
Is therefore questionable. 1t ap-
pears, however, that in proportion
to the national income the Russian
people are supporting education
several times as generously as the
people of the United States. Ac-
cording to George S. Counts, pro-
fessor at Columbia University, the
Russians are supporting education
far more generously than any other
people in history"
Revisions I'm System.
Comparatively recent revisions in
the educational system, the report
says, include abolition of co-educa-
ton in the secondary schools, res
toration and strengthening of the
authority of the teacher, develop
ment of patriotic fervor," increas-
ing emphasis on "the mastery Of
knowledge" more unified course
Of studies "in successive links in an
unbroken chain from the kinder
garten to the university" and
stricter discipline to promote "a
keen sense of duty, honor and re-
sponsibility."
Soviet education emphasizes love
of country, the glorification Of
Russia in history, science, the
equality of peoples, socialism and
military power" the report states.
"The entire educational program ex-
presses Soviet domestic and foreign
policy and is directed at the goal
Of overtaking and surprising the
most advanced capitalistic coun-
tries. The American emphasis on
individual instruction and freedom
of teaching contrasts sharply with
Soviet emphasis on a unified system
and indoctrination in Communism
The right to work and to leisure
time are guaranteed in the Soviet
plan, but considerable compulsion,
it should be noted, accompanies the
right to work" and far-reaching reg
ulAtion goes with the use Of leisure
time, the report indicates.
Leisure Organized.
"The use of the individuals lei
sure time is a matter of primary
political concern in the Soviet
Union. As result, leisure has been
organized and directed toward spe-
cial ends to a degree that seems
entirely unique. The proper use Of
leisure time by the individual Soviet
citizen is regarded as essential both
for health and for educational
needs.
Furthermore, 1t Is the duty Of
the Soviet citizen to be ready for
both labor and national defense,
and this preparation is provided in
considerable measure by the col
lective and purposeful utilization Of
his or her individual leisure.
THE development of leisure time
activities in the Soviet Union may
be considered under six aspects.
"The first is the definition or de-
limitation of time for leisure and
the manner in which this allotment
Is made.
THE second is the ALLEGATION of
centers or places for leisure use and
the ways in which these are used.
"The third, the collective or group
organization for leisure, deals with
the numerous social bodies which
enable the individual to participate
in leisure-time activities.
"The fourth aspect considered IL
the utilization of leisure by youth
and children and the development
Of athletic sports.
"The NTH is the cultural utiliza-
ton Of leisure for enjoyment Of
traditional art forms and sthe ex-
preston Of group patriotic senti-
ment.
The sixth and last is the manner
Of control of leisure time employ
ments in order that the ends of the
Soviet state may be fostered and
maintained"
1l-Hour Working Day.
i During the war the working day
in Russia was II hours. From 1917
to 1928 the general practice was q
six-day work week with one day
allotted for rest and recreation
Between 1929 and 1910, the report
!. explains, there was a general at
tempt to achieve uninterrupted pro-
duction by working period Of five
days with workmen allotted rest
!, days on every sixth day." The
}, working day was seven hours. The
six-day work week with q day OF
! rest on Sundays, and an eight t-hour
. day, were restored In 1910, prior tc
the Russian entry into the war.
/ The report adds that more than
49, IL til - - -