Education in Russia

The education is very important for the development of a person. By the education one gets knowledge about the surrounding world, is prepared to the life. The education influences such important decision like the choice of career.
The education in Russia begins with 3-4 years, at this age children can go to a kindergarden. In the kindergarden the child deals with music and drawing, starts to count and read, it is also developed physically. The kindergardens are mostly supported by the state, however, the parents also pay for the attending of the Kindergatrten, the price is not very high. A kindergarden is not compulsory, many parents prefer to educate their child up to school at home. 
The school begins with 7 years. There are usual state schools in Russia, in addition, state and private Lyceums and gymnasias. It is a serious problem for the parents to decide, which school their child should attend. The quality of the education in state schools is not always so good, as in gymnasias. But gymnasias are much more expensive. Different additional subjects are also taught in gymnasias, and that may be difficult for children. However, state schools, Lyceums and gymnasias are subordinated generally to the unified educational system of Russia. 
During three or four years a child goes to the primary school where he studies only simple subjects, like mathematics and reading, for example. Then the middle school begins, the list of the subjects is enlarged. Every school has its main teaching programm, the Russian language, literature, mathematics, natural sciences and body culture belong to it.
The primary school and the middle school last up to 11 years, but already after 9 years children can go to a college (or vocational school). If a pupil wants to go on the university, he must attend the school for two years more.
After leaving the middle school, the Lyceums, the gymnasia, or the vocational school one can get the higher education. All entrants must pass entrance examinations. Today these entrance examinations are often connected with final examinations. That is if one has passed the final examinations well, the entrance examinations won't already be necessary. Moreover, one can pay for the high education and also pass no entrance examinations. 
At the university specialists are trained. Students study at the university during four years, then they get the Bachelor degree. Then one can study more for two years to get the master's degree. The master's degree is considered to be an advantage for potential employers.