Experts commented on the new educational strategy in Moscow schools

Adopted on February 25 by the Presidium of the Moscow Government decisions on priorities for the development of the metropolitan education system are important and timely, the interviewed experts told Izvestia.

Alexander Semennikov, Chairman of the Moscow City Duma Education Commission, assessed the decision to introduce a single standard for primary and high schools as extremely important.

"We have already moved away from the situation when there were elite schools in the city, where everyone aspired to go, and parents tried to arrange their children there by any means. Today, we strive to ensure that the quality of education in all schools in Moscow is equally high. That is why I support the introduction of a single standard, as well as raising the standard for students, especially from 5th to 9th grade.
This is the age when a child's personality and interests are being formed, and it is important not just to spend, but to invest funds from the Moscow budget in our children, the future of the capital and the whole of Russia," he stressed.Dmitry Livanov, Rector of the Moscow Institute of Physics and Technology, positively noted the increase in hours devoted to studying mathematics and pointed out that it was vital for Russia to ensure the intellectual, technological and economic unity of the country, which required the training of scientific, technical and engineering personnel.

"Today, the country and Moscow, as the leading educational and economic center of Russia, face the task of mass training of schoolchildren in the field of natural science disciplines - physics, chemistry, biology, computer science and mathematics. This requires the earlier involvement of schoolchildren in scientific activities, since interest in science is formed already in the fifth or sixth grade. It is especially important that the upcoming Moscow program focuses on the basic school," said the teacher.

On February 25, the Presidium of the Moscow Government considered the issue of priorities for the development of the Moscow education system. Following the discussion, it was decided to allocate 46 billion rubles to finance the Moscow education system. In particular, this money will be used to increase school budgeting per pupil and equalize this standard for students in grades 5-9 and 10-11. Measures will also be taken in the capital to develop mathematical and natural science education. In addition, the number of budget college places will increase.