In grades 11 and 12 of the senior high school and in classes at vocational training facilities whose final examinations - 6 - impart university entrance qualification more than 50 per cent of the student body are girls. An essential component of socialist education at general schools is polytechnical education. The participation of girls in polytechnical education and training implies that they will have equal opportunities, both objectiyely. and as a matter of personal discretion, in sels:ting a vocational career. A widely ramified system of vocational guidance and counselling assists them in making the right choice well in advance. . . Theif ability to make an educated ~hoice of their vocation is seen as an important eiement of ensuring full equality for women in the GDR~ Today almost all female school leavers (99.2 per cent) who do not go on to a higher edu­ cational establishment take up vocational training. Agriculture has been a typical example of access toooucation and ~raining for girls and women. While in 1945, before the democratic land reform was carried through, less than one per cent of 1uomen in agricultural occupations were traine·d for their particular job, today 83 per cent of women farmers have undergone training and obtained a certificate. Girls and women are strongly encouraged to enrol for higher studies. They account for over 70 per cent of the students at engin­ eering and technical schools. At universities and similar institutions the proportion of female ful~time students is 52.5 per cent. Cne 'Jf ;:lie mos-c SiJn!ficGnt zchi3vaments in cur count-.--,, is the fact that women have access to every career. This is fully consonant with one of the major requirements of the Convention, which specifies that the States partias shall take all appropriate measures to elirainate discrimination 
**Analysis**
The text appears to be discussing the education and employment of women in the German Democratic Republic (GDR). It highlights the progress made in providing equal opportunities for girls and women in vocational training and education, as well as their representation in various fields such as engineering and agriculture. The text also mentions the importance of vocational guidance and counseling in helping women make informed career choices. Given the focus on education, employment, and gender equality, it seems likely that the text belongs to the category of Education and Employment.

**Category**
Education, Employment