Education System in Mongolia
The Education System in Mongolia was very much similar to that of Soviet Union and Eastern European Model until the demise of USSR. Since the beginning of reforms in 1990's, the economy of Mongolia headed from a centralized system to market oriented. Thus, the change in Government machinery took place from a 'one party' system to 'pluralistic parties'.
Under the current reforming process the teaching curricula has been revised. The supply of school textbooks at Primary and Secondary level has increased and the number of enrolments has also increased at all levels of Education in Mongolia. The Ministry of Science, Technology, Education and Culture (MOSTEC) is the administering authority for education in Mongolia. This ministry has formulated Educational policies and set the standard of Education for each level of formal Education. Promotion to each level of Education is made through a system of exams. As at the end of Primary, Lower Secondary and Upper Secondary Education students are required to take state examinations.
Mongolia joined UNESCO on November 1, 1962. The country is covered by the UNESCO Office Beijing, a Cluster Office that also covers Peoples’ Republic of China, Democratic People’s Republic of Korea, Republic of Korea and Japan. Mongolia holds one UNESCO Chair and home to one UNEVOC center. As of September 2006, the country has 4 schools participating in UNESCO’s Associated Schools Project Network (ASPnet).
Primary Education is of 10 years duration, of these, 8 years are compulsory. This is similar to soviet system of education. However, there is a gradual shift towards European system of education. Children enroll for primary school at the age of 6. Pre-Primary is also available where students can enroll at the age of 3 years.
Primary schooling takes 4 years to complete and then students move for another 4 year to study in Middle School. After completion of 8 years of compulsory education students chose for 2/3 years of Secondary School education. At this stage also many chose for vocational programs.
Successful completion of secondary is minimum eligibility criteria to enroll for undergraduate university programs. There are a number of tertiary education facilities in Mongolia, including the Institutes of Medicine, Agriculture, Economics, Pedagogics and Polytechnics. Generally, a bachelor's degree takes 4 years to complete and then student can enroll for 1/2 years of Master's program. Those who successfully complete Master's degree can enroll for 3/4 years of Doctorate program.