[Illustration: UNIVERSITIES AND HIGHER POSTGRADUATE STUDY POLYTECHNICAL INSTITUTES ----------------------------------------------------------------------- AGE---------------------------------------------------------------GRADE ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 18 SCHOOLS FOR SCHOOLS VOCATIONAL TECHNICAL AND XII UNIVERSITY FOR THE ARTS SCHOOLS TEACHER TRAINING 17 PREPARATION SCHOOLS XI 16 X 15 IX ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 14 VIII 13 VII 12 VI 11 8-YEAR ELEMENTARY SCHOOLS V 10 IV 9 III 8 II 7 I ----------------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------------------------------------------------- 6 NURSERY SCHOOLS AND KINDERGARTENS 5 4 3 ---------------------------------------------------------- Note--Attendance is compulsory through grade X. _Figure 6. Romania, Structure of Education, 1972._] The Ministry of Education also defined general policy for, and supervised the work of, the educational sections of the various regional and district people's councils, which were assigned certain responsibilities for organizing and administering local primary and secondary schools. The operation of these schools was subject to periodic detailed checks by a body of inspectors general to ensure the uniform application of government regulations and policies. All institutions of higher learning were controlled directly by the Ministry of Education, which appointed and dismissed all rectors and their assistants. The ministry also employed an intertwined system of advisory councils and commissions to ensure compliance with party and government directives and guidelines.