11-grade student: New reform is another experiment on children
A draft curriculum to allow senior students to finish the two-year program within one year has already been developed but not released yet. Valiantsina Mayeuskaya, a deputy head of the general education department at the Ministry of Education, says it is still under study.
“An inter-departmental commission is still working. It is expected to take a decision after May 26. The transitional curriculum has already been developed and is yet to be approved”, she said.
“It will be another experiment on children”, says Katsya, an 11-grade student.
“The consequences of this reform will bring us nothing good. Some schools take exams seriously, prompting students to begin preparations two years before the exams. For example, students learn topics for the English and German languages… In this situation, they will have to cover everything within one last year. It will be another experiment on children”.
Katsya is graduating from an ordinary 11-year school. But she says teachers frighten them with competition from the students that will be finishing their studies in the extreme mode. Teachers’ point is as follows: if the students from 12-year schools get a good curriculum for the final year, they will graduate better prepared than those who are quietly finishing their 11 years.
“Teachers tell us to worry. They say if those from 12-year school get a good transition course, they will pass out better prepared. Teachers say: “They will get admissions, and you will not”.
Despite scary teachers, Katsya remains defiant.
“I am not worried too much, because many have not decided yet what university to join. In fact, we have never taken these issues seriously. If we miss out on our opportunities, we will probably start thinking then”.
Anatol Rubinau, who serves as the first deputy head of the Office of the President, reassured the European Radio for Belarus that the quality of education would not be compromised. The whole thing is about removing some subjects from the curriculum.
“The curriculum will be changed in such a way so that students finish school without compromising the quality… They will definitely finish with a good quality. Some subjects will be removed to adjust the curriculum in the best way…”
Students who are expected to finish a two-year curriculum within one year should not get worried, either. According to Anatol Rubinau, everyone will have equal opportunities for college.
The list of subjects to be removed from the curriculum includes the following: World Art and Culture, Life Safety Basics, Healthy Lifestyle. Social science will be taught, beginning from 9th grade, one hour per week. The History of Belarus will be merged with the World’s History into one subject.
As for admission exams, it is still early for parents to start getting worried. Uladzimir Zdanovich, the chairman of the Education Commission at the House of Representatives, says this year’s admissions will be carried out in accordance with the effective rules without any changes.
