11-forms system: Is it the beginning of a new reform or the failure of the old one?
The Belarusian school has returned to the 11-forms system of education. It became known after a meeting organized by the President on Thursday. Every Belarusian media outlet mentioned “the burial” of the 12-forms system on Friday. What is it? Is it the beginning of a new reform? Or is it the failure of the old reform? “In general, it is a rather ordinary event – the last day of an education reform that lasted more than 10 years”, - says Yunka Gryl from “Belgazeta”:
“It testifies to the fact that the reform has turned out to be empty talk. The best experience of the Soviet education is forgotten and the best international experience the reform was supposed to adopt has not been adopted”.
On the other hand, the head of the steering education commission of the House of Representatives Uladzimir Zdanovich thinks that the return to the 11-forms system is a beginning of a new reform. However, it will return pupils to the Stone Age. “Komsomolskaya pravda v Belorussii” quotes Zdanovich:
“Anyone knowing a bit about education can confirm that it is impossible to create a good curriculum in two or three months. However, it is possible to create a confused curriculum. The best way to conduct a reform is to start with the very first form having a smooth “escape route””.
According to “Belgazeta”, the majority of efforts during the reform were spent on “special effects” or “the decor”: the 11-forms and the 12-forms systems, the 10-point system and the number of classes in the curriculum. At the same time the quality of education continued deteriorating:
“The school was supposed to prepare university entrants, higher educational institutions were supposed to prepare specialists or even intellectuals if the institution was elite. However, the modern school prepares tutor’s clients and higher educational institutions prepare graduate school students”. (“Belgazeta”)
State Belarusian mass media did not leave out the topic either. However, unlike independent mass media, they did not quote Zdanovich. They quoted the deputy head of the President’s Administration Anatol Rubinau. He assures journalists and the other Belarusians that “the return to the 11-forms system is planned and there will be no problems”. The title of the headline of “Sovetskaya Belorussiya” is “Best new and old experience”:
“Anatol Rubіnau said that the fear of the double graduation next year was unjustified. According to him, the competition in higher educational institutions will not be exceptional. The Ministry of Education has already created transitional curriculums for high school. So the system is ready for changes”.
“Komsomolka” reveals “the mystery of the transitional curriculum”:
“... they will have 6 classes a day four days a week and 7 classes once a week”.
Let us remind you that the number of classes will be reduced in the other forms. “Sovetskaya Belorussiya” describes this and other changes:
“All secondary educational institutions including grammar schools and lyceums will work five days a week. The sixth day will be dedicated to physical education and sport and to optional courses. The school year will become a week longer – it will finish on June 1. The duration of autumn, winter and spring vacations will not change”.
All secondary education schools will have a common curriculum and subjects will be studied on the basic level. Lyceum and grammar school classes in Belarusian schools are planned to be liquidated.
“The system of education is suffering from a heavy gale: it does not know where it is drifting to and why. The reform failed because neither the state not the society knew what they wanted the school to be”, - summarizes Yanka Bryl in the “Last Day” article in “Belgazeta” as well as in our today’s press review.
“It testifies to the fact that the reform has turned out to be empty talk. The best experience of the Soviet education is forgotten and the best international experience the reform was supposed to adopt has not been adopted”.
On the other hand, the head of the steering education commission of the House of Representatives Uladzimir Zdanovich thinks that the return to the 11-forms system is a beginning of a new reform. However, it will return pupils to the Stone Age. “Komsomolskaya pravda v Belorussii” quotes Zdanovich:
“Anyone knowing a bit about education can confirm that it is impossible to create a good curriculum in two or three months. However, it is possible to create a confused curriculum. The best way to conduct a reform is to start with the very first form having a smooth “escape route””.
According to “Belgazeta”, the majority of efforts during the reform were spent on “special effects” or “the decor”: the 11-forms and the 12-forms systems, the 10-point system and the number of classes in the curriculum. At the same time the quality of education continued deteriorating:
“The school was supposed to prepare university entrants, higher educational institutions were supposed to prepare specialists or even intellectuals if the institution was elite. However, the modern school prepares tutor’s clients and higher educational institutions prepare graduate school students”. (“Belgazeta”)
State Belarusian mass media did not leave out the topic either. However, unlike independent mass media, they did not quote Zdanovich. They quoted the deputy head of the President’s Administration Anatol Rubinau. He assures journalists and the other Belarusians that “the return to the 11-forms system is planned and there will be no problems”. The title of the headline of “Sovetskaya Belorussiya” is “Best new and old experience”:
“Anatol Rubіnau said that the fear of the double graduation next year was unjustified. According to him, the competition in higher educational institutions will not be exceptional. The Ministry of Education has already created transitional curriculums for high school. So the system is ready for changes”.
“Komsomolka” reveals “the mystery of the transitional curriculum”:
“... they will have 6 classes a day four days a week and 7 classes once a week”.
Let us remind you that the number of classes will be reduced in the other forms. “Sovetskaya Belorussiya” describes this and other changes:
“All secondary educational institutions including grammar schools and lyceums will work five days a week. The sixth day will be dedicated to physical education and sport and to optional courses. The school year will become a week longer – it will finish on June 1. The duration of autumn, winter and spring vacations will not change”.
All secondary education schools will have a common curriculum and subjects will be studied on the basic level. Lyceum and grammar school classes in Belarusian schools are planned to be liquidated.
“The system of education is suffering from a heavy gale: it does not know where it is drifting to and why. The reform failed because neither the state not the society knew what they wanted the school to be”, - summarizes Yanka Bryl in the “Last Day” article in “Belgazeta” as well as in our today’s press review.
