<P> Vladimir Lenin, in 1919 proclaimed the major aim of the Soviet government was the abolition of illiteracy . A system of universal compulsory education was established . Millions of illiterate adults were enrolled in special literacy schools . Youth groups (Komsomol members and Young Pioneer) were utilized to teach . In 1926, the literacy rate was 56.6 percent of the population . By 1937, according to census data, the literacy rate was 86% for men and 65% for women, making a total literacy rate of 75% . </P> <P> An important aspect of the early campaign for literacy and education was the policy of "indigenization" (korenizatsiya). This policy, which lasted essentially from the mid-1920s to the late 1930s, promoted the development and use of non-Russian languages in the government, the media, and education . Intended to counter the historical practices of Russification, it had as another practical goal assuring native - language education as the quickest way to increase educational levels of future generations . A huge network of so - called "national schools" was established by the 1930s, and this network continued to grow in enrollments throughout the Soviet era . Language policy changed over time, perhaps marked first of all in the government's mandating in 1938 the teaching of Russian as a required subject of study in every non-Russian school, and then especially beginning in the latter 1950s a growing conversion of non-Russian schools to Russian as the main medium of instruction . </P> <P> Education in French controlled West Africa during the late 1800s and early 1900s was different from the nationally uniform compulsory education of France in the 1880s . "Adapted education" was organized in 1903 and used the French curriculum as a basis, replacing information relevant to France with "comparable information drawn from the African context ." For example, French lessons of morality were coupled with many references to African history and local folklore . The French language was also taught as an integral part of adapted education . </P> <P> Africa has more than 40 million children . According to UNESCO's Regional overview on sub-Saharan Africa, in 2000 only 58% of children were enrolled in primary schools, the lowest enrollment rate of any region . The USAID Center reports as of 2005, forty percent of school - aged children in Africa do not attend primary school . </P>

Describe the education system of school in village in olden time and in modern time