Rustam Minnikhanov: “Teachers create competitive advantage of the nation”

“Development of educational system in Tatarstan should be based on teachers first of all”, - RT President Rustam Minnikhanov stated at August meeting of educational workers. The meeting took place in Almetievsk with participation of RT Premier Ildar Khalikov, Chairman of RT State Council Farid Mukhametshin, heads of republican ministries and departments.

Before the beginning of plenary session guests visited Almetievsk educational institutions. Opening the meeting Rustam Minnikhanov said that experience of Tatarstan oil capital deserves attention and thanked region’s authorities for achievements.

President of Tatarstan informed about major projects launched during the past year in republic. Serious investments were attracted in educational system, - 7 bln. roubles were allocated for realization of the strategy on education development “Kilechek”. The problem with children catering has been settled completely. More than 11 000 children received places in kindergartens in 2011. Schools are provided with 16 000 computers. By the end of year 6 000 subject rooms will be provided with projecting and interactive equipment. All schools are connected to Internet, 1538 schools are provided with WiFi. 208 school buses were purchased by the beginning of new academic year.

Rustam Minnikhanov stressed that positive changes occurred after introducing new payment system. He reminded as well that a federal and two research universities started functioning. One may also observe consolidation of primary and secondary education and development of private-state partnership. By words of Rustam Minnikhanov republican heads saw it today by the example of Almetievsk polytechnic school supported by “Tatneft” company.

RT Minister of education and science Albert Gilmutdinov made the key report. Firstly he paid attention to the safety of educational institutions. The Minister considers children safety a priority issue.

Albert Gilmutdinov informed about development of education in republic. He stressed that in connection with unprecedented rates of construction of new kindergartens necessary regulations have been worked out. The system “electronic kindergarten showed itself to advantage. In prospect language learning should become a priority in pre-school education.

According to the Minister, main points of development in secondary general education are the teacher, technology and infrastructure. He informed that teacher’s salary would increase from September,1,2011 by 30 %. Besides, grants and bonuses are provided as an extra incentive. The program for training abroad “Algarysh” is still in force so that teachers can pass advanced training. Tatarstan authorities are planning to offer professional development for all English teachers by program of Swedish company “English First”.

By words of Albert Gilmutdinov, as for technological equipment of schools, the first stage is completed – schools are provided with equipment.

Realization of “Kilechek” strategy should end up with improvement of education quality, and first results are already seen. In 2011 Tatarstan school leavers showed results of Unified state exam above average in Russia. Still the most talented students are leaving Tatarstan and after training in Moscow or foreign universities do not come back to republic. Thus, Albert Gilmutdinov recommended pay more attention to each of talented students and create a Fund for supporting talented children to help them participate in Russian and international contests.

Summing up, RT President Rustam Minnikhanov noted that in the issue of education modernization much emphasis should be put on teachers. He thinks that systems of professional development for pedagogical staff should be functioning efficiently and Kazan federal university has to contribute to this issue.

By words of Rustam Minnikhanov, program of optimizing network of educational institutions should be brought to a conclusion. “Belekech” program should also be completed successfully.

Head of republic agreed with necessity of supporting talented children and gave assignment to work out a certain system.

Rustam Minnikhanov believes that knowledge of languages, in particular Tatar and English is an important competitive advantage. Much attention should be paid to this isse in kindergartens, he thinks.

The system of professional education is functioning not efficiently enough, RT President supposes. He emphasized necessity of close interaction between professional education and enterprises.

On finishing his speech, Rustam Minnikhanov assured that all mentioned programs in educational sector are being realized and would be realized in future.

“Teachers create competitive advantage of the nation, its educational potential”, - Rustam Minnikhanov said expressing gratitude to all teachers of republic for their work.