ABSTRACT
The Soviet Union rightly prided itself on the quality of its education system. Even now, despite declining investment in education, Russian students continue to demonstrate better mathematical and scientific skills than those in many western countries. Russia still boasts universal basic education and a literate workforce. However, reform is essential if Russian education is to respond to the demands of the market economy. There is a need to move away from a pedagogical approach which emphasises the acquisition of knowledge rather than problem-solving skills. Capital investment, which has been in serious decline since the collapse of the Soviet Union, needs to be increased to repair decrepit buildings and replace outdated equipment. Previously free for all students, about two thirds of students in higher education now pay some contribution to the cost of their education, but this has little impact on the universities’ need for greater funding to improve infrastructure and increase teachers’ lamentably low pay.
