Far reaching changes were carried out in a educational system. The traditional division of curricula into separate and distinct subjects was done away with and the new system of school work around a single large theme was introduced. The students and teachers were encouraged to work together and the students were required to take part practical work outside the class-room. Education also included visits the factories, museums and historical places.
However, this system of education did not last long and Stalin once again returned to orthodox system of education. In view of the vast illiteracy prevailing in the country he launched massive educational programmes. In 1930 Stalin passed a law introducing compulsory instructions for all from the age of eight.
The practice of exclusive of children of non-communist families from higher education was abandoned and the traditional methods of education like assignment of homework, administering of formal examination etc. which had been done away with during the earlier years, were reintroduced. Great emphasis was laid on the study of history, geography, arithmetic and language.
The system of self-government of pupils which was introduced in the first four years of the revolution was abolished. The system of evaluation, ranks, titles, academic degrees etc. was also reintroduced. Greater emphasis was laid on technical education and a number of Higher Technical Institutes were set up in addition to the usual universities.
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These institutes were attached to the central administration of the industries for which they trained the specialists. Great importance was attached to military education and each institute of higher education was charged with the responsibility of preparing students in military arts appropriate to its own specialty.