Education in Ukraine
The system of secondary education in Ukraine includes primary forms and junior and senior secondary forms. Children usually go to school at the age of 6 or 7.There are some preschool institutions, like nursery schools or kindergartens, but they are not obligatory. Primary forms comprise 1 to 4 forms. Junior secondary forms comprise 5 to 9 forms. After the 9th form children can enter technical schools of different types. Those who want to enter higher educational institutions should complete 10—11 forms. Students can also enter higher educational institutions after graduating from specialized colleges or lyceums. They prepare students in different fields, whether the humanities or the sciences.
Some of them are organized under the authorities of higher educational establishments.
The system of higher education is presented by universities, polytechnic institutes or specialized institutes.Universities offer a five-year course of study and usually have from six to twelve departments. Institutes train specialists for industry, agriculture and economy. Most of them have been conferred the status of Academy or University recently. Students are also offered post-graduate education and scientific research work.
Nowadays due to the state of our national economy not many young people are engaged in the research work.
But still in some fields of science there are outstanding discoveries and re-search papers. Some universities and institutes have refresher courses. Recently a great number of private educational establishments have appeared. Some institutions have fee-paying groups or departments.
The students may get education there at the same high level as in the state institutions.
Popular games in Ukraine
Ukrainian sports have many glorious pages. In all times our sportsmen have been the strongest in many kinds of sports. Athletes from Europe and Asia, Africa and America have always been afraid of their Ukrainian opponents. People all over the world know such names as brothers Klichko, Yana Klochkova, Lilia Podkopayeva, many others and of course Andrey Shevchenko, who was recognized as the best goalkeeper.
Sports such as football and wrestling have been popular in Ukraine since the 19th century.[1] Ukraine has benefited from the Soviet Union's emphasis on physical education, and Ukraine was left with hundreds of stadiums, swimming pools, gymnasiums, and other athletic facilities after the collapse of the Soviet Union.
Football is the most popular sport in Ukraine. The strongest and highest-level league is the Ukrainian Premier League, which is also known as the Vyscha Liha (Top league). The second-ranking league is the Persha Liha or the Ukrainian First League. The next league down is the Second League or Druha Liha, which is divided into two groups, East(B) and West(A), according to their location. The fourth-level league is Amateur Level.
At the end of each season, the two lowest-ranking teams in the Vyscha Liha are relegated to the Persha Liha, while the two top teams of the Persha Liha are promoted to the Vyscha Liha. The two lowest-ranking Persha Liha teams are relegated to the Druha Liha, while the top two teams in the Druha Liha League are promoted to the Persha Liha. Teams receive three points if they win, one point for a draw, and no points for a loss. Each team plays each other twice.
Teams from all leagues can participate in the Ukrainian Cup. The winners of the Ukrainian Championship and the Ukrainian Cup take part in the Ukrainian Super Cup.
Andriy Shevchenko is a famous Ukrainian footballer, who is considered a national hero in Ukraine.[1]
Ukraine will be host to the UEFA European Football Championship in 2012, together with Poland.
Ukraine has a ice hockey league, the Professional Hockey League. Their most notable team is Sokil Kyiv. Their national ice hockey team has competed in several World Championships and the Olympics.
Ukraine also has a known basketball league. The teams are strong enough to make it into the Eurocup basketball championship. The top Ukrainian League is called the Ukrainian Basketball Super League. The next top league is called the Vyscha Liha. The next strongest league is called the Persha Liha.