[17] By 1967, although there were 53 private schools, public schools were better able to compete with private education.[17] Towards the end of this decade, the government developed the existing structure of Malian education.[17] In 1968, the Ministry of National Education became a joint institution with the Ministry of Youth and Sports.[17] In 1969, the school cycle lengths were modified yet again to 6 years and 3 years, respectively.[17] Finally, in 1970, the government implemented the DEF, or Diploma d'Etudes Fondamental, which served as merit based exam to determine which students were able to transition to secondary and vocational schools following primary education.[17]