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Since the break-up of the Soviet Union, schools
are no longer required to teach the Russian language and communist principles
to students. Classes may now be taught in Ukrainian. Many Ukrainians also
study English as a foreign language and Ukrainian-Canadians are in demand
as English teachers. Because the constitution guarantees ethnic minorities
the right to schooling in their own language, education in the Russian
language is still offered. Russian is still the native language for many
Ukrainians. Ukrainian children used to be prepared for life in a communist state by various youth organizations, but these organizations have now disappeared. New recreational associations have been formed, including one called Plast, similar to the Scouts. Ukrainian children begin school at the age of six. At the age of fourteen, young Ukrainians may choose to take technical training in a trade at one of more than 700 vocational colleges, or go to secondary school to prepare for university. Because Ukraine is heavily industrialized, many Ukrainians train as engineers and technicians. Ukraine's literacy rate is high. The country has a strong tradition of scientific and academic research led by the Academy of Sciences of Ukraine and the universities. The university at Lviv was established in 1661 and is one of the oldest in the world. The Kyiv Mohyla Academy is one of the oldest eastern European universities. |
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