VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
ARCHIVE OF THE OFFICIAL SITE
OF THE 2008-2012 PRIME MINISTER
OF THE RUSSIAN FEDERATION
VLADIMIR PUTIN
Vladimir Putin's opening address:
Ladies and gentlemen,
As you know, 2010 has been proclaimed the Year of the Teacher. At today's meeting of the Organising Committee, we will discuss the main events connected with this year as well as our efforts to develop teachers' professional potential.
Education opportunities at Russian schools have increased considerably as of late with new computer classes and the installation of up-to-date equipment. In fact all schools, even rural schools, have been computerised and given access to the Internet.
However, not even the most sophisticated technologies can replace a good teacher. I am sure everyone in this room owes much to his or her schoolteachers.
Russian schools need talented, open-minded teachers who see their mission as developing every pupil's gifts to the utmost.
Schools should be able to attract the most skilled individuals, who want interesting and highly sought after jobs with clear career prospects and good remuneration.
The Russian regions are introducing a new system of funding for schools based on the number of pupils. It promises a notable increase of teacher's pay, mainly for the most experienced teachers. But young teachers also need support. It might be worthwhile to offer special grants for young people choosing a career in education.
I have just discussed the Pedagogical Researchers national target programme with the Education Minister. Some money from it can be used for grants for young teachers-for instance, a thousand two-year grants, worth half a million roubles apiece, or 250,000 roubles a year. But let me repeat that only a portion of young teachers will qualify.
We should also revise tuition norms to bring them into conformity with the latest educational standards and technologies. As we all know, primary school teachers need to teach more classes to earn as much as their colleagues who work with older students or teach subjects. I think we should apply higher standards to primary schooling and teachers' proficiency. I think it is also worthwhile to come up with unified standards for this.
The system for evaluating school personnel also needs to be reviewed. I know trade unions may find this difficult, and we must discuss these issues with them. It is even more evident that we must work to improve teachers' social status, and that teachers should be encouraged to expand their knowledge and take advantage of the latest ideas and teaching methods.
Teachers need not only basic education, but also continuing postgraduate education that takes into account their personal needs and the specific situation at their schools.
That is why it is essential to modernise education for teachers, in order to give them access to all the latest achievements of pedagogical sciences and all available technologies.
Teachers' websites, online forums to discuss teaching methods, and everything else that helps teachers deserve our every support. These matter the most to teachers in rural and remote areas.
Modernising schools, raising teachers' social status and so on are sensitive problems that demand the utmost openness, the participation of everyone involved, and due consideration for teachers' opinions.
Let us start our discussion.
