Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1958-06-22
Inside Soviet School System

ondary school. and this In a eoun-
try where one must walt at least
a year for his automobile.
The avowed goal OF the planned
changes is 10 increase the NUM-
bers Of skilled workers immedi-
ately upon graduation. also TO
insure the conditioning OF every
child 10 production work.
We witnessed an education-
centered economy-planned. and
developing In stages. with the em-
phasis upon the collective rather
than the individual needs Of the
people.
While the Soviet system imposes
uniformity. the Soviet education
adjusts itself TO meet changing
conditions. Developmental pro-
grams are encouraged In limited
numbers by the Ministry OF Edu-
cation as part Of the process in
a planned economy and a planned
culture.
Stereotyped Culture
Our delegation was critical OF
the stereotyped concepts OF cul-
ture and eStheticS which we en-
countered and the lack Of emphasis
upon individual expression and
creativeness. When we probed for
explanations We were told. The
Soviet people believe in reality,
science and the laws Of nature"
AT every turn Of our travels we
were struck by the emphasis and
attention paid to the study of
languages in the schools. This is
one OF the areas Of experimental
ton. For example, during the
school year just completed. II
schools began foreign-language in
struction in the second grade.
Eight Of these schools are referred
TO as English schools, seven as
German and two as French. In
struction in literature, history and
geography classes is also carried
on In the second language Begin
ming in the fifth grade.
1t may also be of interest To
know that approximately as per
cent OF the ten-year school pupils
are studying English, IS per cent
German, and 20 per cent French,
Direct comparisons of the
quality OF education in two
countries as different in goals
and aspirations as the United
States and the Soviet Union are
difficult. if not impossible. Soviet
teaching methods and content are
designed to insure that every
pupil passes" In an attempt to
accomplish this. extra teaching
services are provided with individ-
ual tutoring, incentives and
awards, and restriction Of student
privileges.
examination procedures are con-
fined to those elements in which
the pupils have been repeatedly
drilled. Little if any attention is
given questions involving the APP
plication of knowledge to new Sit
uationS. Teachers evaluate each
individual lesson and daily recita-
: ton, Low marks on examinations
or lesson are usually considered a
reflection upon the teacher rather
than the pupil.
Won't to Surposs U. S.
Everywhere in Russia there we're
evidences not only of passionate
love OF country but a burning
desire to Surpass the United States
In education. in production, in
standard Of living, in world trade
and in athletics.
The slogan we saw most in
posters, films. and everywhere was
Reach and Overreach America"
We did not find among children
and teachers any evidence that
this fierce sense of competition
was other than Of peaceful intent,
In education the spirit is a race
for knowledge. for supremacy in
a way of life and in world leader
ship. The Russian attitude is, as
one Soviet official told us, I'VE
believe in planned society, you
in individual initiative. Let time
tell" They are convinced that
time is on their side and they can
win world supremacy through
education and hard work.