The All-Russian Homeroom Teachers' Forum and the First School Principals' Forum begin at the National Centre RUSSIA
The
official opening of the All-Russian Homeroom Teachers' Forum and the First
School Principals' Forum took place at the National Centre RUSSIA on 30
September. For three days, more than a thousand teachers and heads of
educational institutions from regions across Russia and from other countries
will discuss key issues in upbringing, school management and the development of
modern education.
Participants
in the forums were welcomed by Sergei Novikov, Chief of the Presidential
Directorate for Social Projects, and Sergei Kravtsov, Minister of Education of
the Russian Federation.
Sergei
Novikov read out a message from the President of Russia, Vladimir Putin.
"This
year, teachers, experts and representatives of government bodies from all
regions of our country and a number of foreign states have come together at one
venue. Our focus is on developing the general education system, expanding the
best practices, and introducing modern technologies and advanced methods. I
would like to note that school principals and homeroom teachers play an
enormous role in the educational and upbringing process. Your work undoubtedly
requires not only deep knowledge and specialised expertise, but also the
ability to understand and support young people, identify the talents and
abilities of each child and help them fulfil their potential," Vladimir
Putin said in his message.
Sergei Novikov also congratulated those present on the Day of Reunification of the Historical Regions with Russia. He emphasised the special role of teachers working in the Donetsk People's Republic, Lugansk People's Republic, Zaporozhye Region and Kherson Region: according to him, they are carrying out the difficult task of reshaping the younger generation's system of values. Sergei Novikov noted that 800,000 homeroom teachers currently work in Russian general education institutions, each of whom bears significant responsibility for shaping the worldview of a harmoniously developed individual.
"The
words 'Teaching is a profession whose impact reaches far into the future' fully
apply to your mission. You pass beliefs and values on to children and occupy an
important place in the lives of your students. The special status of teachers
has been recognised directly by a Presidential Executive Order, with guarantees
of professional development, mentoring, legal and physical protection, veteran
status and priority rights for teachers and their families," Sergei
Novikov said in his address to forum participants.
Minister of
Education of Russia Sergei Kravtsov said that forum participants would discuss
interaction with the parents and grandparents of first-year pupils through the
"Parents' School" format, educational work and the prevention of
destructive behaviour, as well as the creation of endowment funds to support
teachers' initiatives. The views of leaders in the teaching community,
particularly those of the Principals' Club, will help make this work more
effective.
"The Homeroom Teachers' Forum is being held on the instructions of the President of Russia for the sixth time. It is a unique platform where we discuss the future of our education together. After each forum, we bring together your initiatives to improve our work. The main topic this year is the implementation of Presidential Executive Order No. 498 'On Additional Measures to Support Teachers'. The Ministry has prepared three draft federal laws and a draft Government resolution on teacher identification. Together with teachers, we will develop regulations on the status of teachers and submit them for public discussion," noted Sergei Kravtsov.
Particular attention at the forums will be given to support for teachers. As the Minister of Education noted, on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation, the Ministry monitors monthly payments to teachers for serving as homeroom teachers. At the same time, the programme to modernise infrastructure and equip subject classrooms is continuing, as is the professional development and advanced training of teachers, particularly in the natural sciences, while school television is also being developed. At the conclusion of the official opening, the Minister of Education of the Russian Federation presented departmental awards to teachers.
The forums' educational programme opened with the panel discussion "Personal Stories: The Values That Shape Us". The discussion featured Sergei Novikov, Chief of the Presidential Directorate for Social Projects; Sergei Kravtsov, Minister of Education of Russia; Metropolitan Tikhon (Shevkunov) of Simferopol and Crimea, Chairman of the Patriarchal Council for Culture; Maria Zakharova, Director of the Information and Press Department and official representative of the Russian Ministry of Foreign Affairs; and Alexei Likhachev, Director General of the Rosatom State Corporation.
They shared their personal experiences of professional development with participants and presented their views on the upbringing of young people, the role of schools in shaping personality and the preservation of traditional values.
"A
teacher shapes the generation that, twenty years from now, will make decisions
determining the kind of world in which people from different countries and
different nations will live. That is why I can say with confidence that a
school textbook — whether it is on history, literature, one's native language
or the exact sciences, with no exceptions — is, of course, a factor in foreign
policy. Professional diplomats around the world know this. It is probably not
something people talk about aloud very often," Maria Zakharova said.
The forums are being held on the instructions of the President of the Russian Federation with the support of the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation. The Humanitarian Projects Foundation is the operator. Two major projects in the field of education are being held at the same venue for the first time. The events have brought together more than a thousand participants from across the country and abroad.
Key topics on the programme include educational work, fostering civic responsibility and patriotism, managing education systems and career guidance for school students. Panel discussions, debates on artificial intelligence and a meeting of the "Principals' Club" are planned. Watch livestreams of the Forum's main events on the official website of the National Centre RUSSIA.
Spiritual and moral education in schools is not merely a formality: children should grow up with inspiring examples.
Alexei Likhachev, Director General of the Rosatom State Corporation, spoke about the role of family, teachers and personal experience in upbringing at the National Centre RUSSIA.
The nevalyashka is one of the most recognisable symbols of the National Centre RUSSIA and a true hallmark of its flagship project, the Department Store RUSSIA.
