before 1990 the course of school training in the soviet union lasted 10 years, but at the end of 1990 an 11-year course officially came into operation. education in state-owned secondary schools is free; "first" tertiary (university level) education is free with reservations: a substantial number of students enroll on full pay. male and female students have equal shares in all stages of education, except in tertiary education where women lead with 57%.