A Smarter Russia as Students Head Back to School Tomorrow

Today is the first day of school in Russia.  In a recent interview, President Dmitry Medvedev reiterated his goal to fight corruption and modernize the national school system.

 
Medvedev is part of the 1987 Leningrad State University alumni, with a law degree  Leningrad's name was officially changed to St. Petersburg in 1991, and so too the university's name. From 1991-1996, he instructed at the same university for the insane salary of $10 a month at some point.

These days, he is an advocate for the educational system. Clarifying his position in a recent interview, he announced that federal funds have been allotted in unprecedented amounts to schools, $1.8 trillion roubles (approximately $60 billion dollars). He is  determined to build a modern system, where the students are more relaxed, but still receive quality education.

He admits there are some shortcomings in the new system, but believes it is a good start. The national final school exam or the EGE is a hot topic, but Medvedev stands behind it. It fights corruption, and aids in transparency. No longer can you buy your way to a university entrance. Holders of fake certificates will also be criminally prosecuted. When questioned about vocational schools disappearing, Medvedev encouraged businesses to set up and run these facilities, as they would be the ones hiring the graduates.

The Educational National Project focuses on four improvement: increased wages for teachers, scholarships to students, new equipment, and improved technical base.

One innovative idea is the encouragement of universities to provide their own income by establishing small business. This country is truly becoming innovative.

Some schools are undergoing "adjustments" in order to provide a thorough education. "It doesn't matter what the diploma says; what matters is what a person really learned at the university." states Medvedev. He is also working to standardizing education,  particularly history. With so much information written by different people with different agenda, contradictions are common. "We cannot define key events in completely opposing ways. We cannot label a country as an aggressor if it was merely defending itself or protecting its interests." he added.

In the 1960's, there was 500 higher level educational institutions, but now there are nearly two thousand.

In comparison, Russia has more students per 10,000 inhabitants than the USA.