APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070023-3
basic vocational schools, 15.7% to secondary vocational-technical schools, and 17.9% to general secondary schools (lyceums).
The general secondary lyceum is the only academic secondary school, with a 4-year course leading to a final certificate (matura), which entitles the holder to apply for higher education. In some cases, basic schools and lyceums are organized together as 12-year schools, although this is rare and there is still a distinct break after the eighth grade. The 1961 reforms that extended the basic school to 8 years—in effect making what had been the first year in the lyceum into the last year of the basic school—also necessitated revised curriculums in the secondary schools. These changes emphasized updated teaching materials, the natural sciences, the polytechnic content of the courses, and additional electives (Figure 40). The changes, however, were not designed to differentiate the school into separate arts and science sectors, as happens in many other European countries, but rather to make more time available to concentrate on chosen fields while retaining the basic course for all students.
According to 1967/68 data, about two-thirds of all students who began general secondary schools successfully completed the final year with a certificate. The remainder was made up of repeaters (9%), dropouts (5.5%), and those who stayed to the end but failed to get the certificate. Of those who graduated with the matura, 63% went on to some form of higher education; 28% entered universities, and the rest enrolled in technical or other specialized institutions of higher learning.
Vocational and technical schools are of many types, but may be classified broadly under two categories according to the level of instruction. Basic vocational schools provide 3-year course of training for pupils leaving the basic school at age 15. Some general educational matter is included in the curriculum, but the emphasis is overwhelmingly on mastery of the theory and practice of a particular trade, augmented by practical work in factory and workshop. Agricultural schools, with 2-year courses on average, could also be included in this category. More advanced vocational education is given in the secondary vocational-technical schools, which is the equivalent of the lyceum and is also open to 15-year old graduates of the basic school. This provides a 5-year course (though there are some variations) with a combination of general education and vocational training in over 100 special fields—engineering, agriculture, economics, administration, health service, communications and a host of others. The final
| Subject | I | II | III | IV | Total |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Polish language | 4 | 4 | 4 | 4 | 16 |
| Russian language | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| English, French or German | 4 | 4 | 3 | 3 | 14 |
| History | 3 | 3 | 3 | ... | 9 |
| Social study | ... | ... | ... | 3 | 3 |
| Biology | ... | ... | 3 | 2 | 5 |
| Hygiene | ... | ... | 1 | 1 | 2 |
| Geography | 3 | 3 | ... | ... | 6 |
| Mathematics | 4 | 4 | 4 | 3 | 15 |
| Physics | 3 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 11 |
| Astronomy | ... | ... | ... | 1 | 1 |
| Chemistry | 2 | 2 | 2 | ... | 6 |
| Technical education | 3 | 3 | 3 | 3 | 12 |
| Art and music | 2 | 1 | 1 | ... | 4 |
| Physical training | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | 8 |
| Premilitary training | 1 | 2 | 2 | ... | 5 |
| Options | ... | ... | ... | 4 | 4 |
| Total hours weekly | 34 | 34 | 33 | 30 | 131 |
| Additional subjects | I | II | III | IV | Total |
| Latin | 2 | 2 | 2 | 2 | ... |
| Choir or ensembles | 2 | ... | |||
| Sports | 2 | ... | |||
60
APPROVED FOR RELEASE: 2009/06/16: CIA-RDP01-00707R000200070023-3
