Any innovations in the education system, associated with the payment system or the establishment of professional standards for teachers in Russia, should not negatively affect the economic situation of teachers," Russian Prime Minister Dmitry Medvedev said at the All-Russian Teachers Conference.
"No matter what we do with the payment system and professional standards, all these new things should not lead to deterioration of teachers' economic situation, this is absolutely unacceptable," RIA Novosti quoted him as saying.
He also spoke about a number of proposals, associated with the reduction of a number of reports and inspections in schools. "Regarding the reduction of reports in general, I, of course, also support this. I gave instruction on this matter. I would like to inform you that by September 1, Ministries will prepare a reports on reduction of a total number of reports. We can amend the legislation if necessary," he explained.
Medvedev stressed that the key task of school is to teach children, not write reports for higher institutions. At the same time, according to him, right now 80% of what teachers and school administration write has nothing to do with the educational process.
"We have to deal with this... Of course it is impossible to get rid of the reports completely... But these reports must be clear, without repeats, and I absolutely agree that these reports should not contain publicly available information - all institutions must learn how to use existing databases and existing electronic resources," he pointed out.
In order to reduce the inspections in schools, the Ministry of Education should develop specific criterias, he noted. "If there are no serious problems in the school, then there should be less inspections in such school. The criterias should be worked out by the Ministry of Education. Olga Yurievna, you should work on this," Medvedev said, addressing the new Minister of Education and Science of Russia, Olga Vasilyeva.
In conclusion, he said that a session of presidium of the Presidential Council on strategic development will be held in the near future, and will be dedicated to school education.
