The Politburo of the Communist party controls all aspects of Soviet life, including education. Education is the responsibility of all the organizations, institutions, and persons in the state, but the schools, as directed by the Party, have the leading role in developing a citizenry of proper social outlook. This "new Soviet man" will not only contribute through his labor to the expansion of Soviet industrial and military power, but will also actively participate in building a Communist society. The Soviet Union has one of the most extensive preschool programs in the world, providing free, voluntary, nursery schools for children from two month to three years, and kindergartens for children from three to seven years. General education is provided through a system of primary schools (through third grade), incomplete secondary schools (through eighth grade), and the complete secondary school (through tenth grade, for those who pass examinations at the eighth grade level). The curriculum at all levels of schooling is set nationally. Teacher education is particularly important since education is the primary means for spreading Communist ideology. This booklet describes the nature of Soviet education, noting philosophical emphases, structural characteristics, and major problems of the Soviet system. (Author/PGD)