Preparation of new framework projects “Lifting up Education And Results in Times of Need” (LEARN) and “Investing in Social Protection for Inclusion, Sustainability and Efficiency” (INSPIRE) was discussed by the Ministry of Finance of Ukraine and representatives of the World Bank on August 29.
According to the Ministry of Finance on its website on Wednesday, the estimated cost of these projects is $500 million and $1.2 billion, respectively.
It is specified that also in the center of attention was a new project “Strengthening the health care system and preservation of life” (Heal Ukraine), announced earlier this year in the amount of EUR 368 million.
The Ministry of Finance reminded that the projects “Improvement of Higher Education in Ukraine for Results” in the amount of $200 million and “Modernization of the System of Social Support of the Population of Ukraine” in the amount of $750 million are currently being implemented.
It is indicated that at the meeting Deputy Minister of Finance Roman Yermolichev noted the importance for Ukraine to implement measures aimed at the formation of human capital, in particular the development of health care, education and social protection.
“For us now one of the main challenges is to work out effective measures and incentives for our citizens to return to Ukraine and invest their capital in the development and restoration of the state. In addition, we also have to work out the necessary solutions to make school education qualitative and effective for children,” he said.
In his opinion, the new joint LEARN project will provide the urgent needs for the reconstruction of the education sector in Ukraine.
The deputy minister added that special attention was paid to the continuation of the New Ukrainian School reform.
The United States Agency for International Development (USAID) has allocated $13 billion in direct budgetary assistance to support the social sphere of Ukraine, in particular medicine, education and rescue services, the press service of USAID Ukraine reports.
“USAID has provided $13 billion in direct budget support to ensure that Ukrainian medical professionals, educators, and rescue workers provide services to the residents of communities and support Ukraine in resisting the Russian invasion. Isobel Coleman (the USAID Deputy Administrator) and the Finance Ministry of Ukraine expressed the U.S.’ and Ukraine’s commitment to transparent and accountable use of funds,” USAID Ukraine said on Twitter.
Yesterday a new academic year began in Ukrainian schools. At the same time, due to the realities of martial law, the organization of the educational process in different regions differs significantly. Territorial became the determining criterion for choosing the form of education this year. According to Minister of Education Sergei Shkarlet, students are divided into categories depending on their place of residence at the start of the school year. Depending on this, the forms of education can be selected: full-time, distance, mixed, family, or external studies.
In Kyiv, most schools will continue to use the traditional full-time form of education. According to the KMDA, about 68% of schools in the capital are equipped with shelters, the capacity of which will directly affect the number of students in the classes. This should be determined by a special commission. At the same time, according to the survey, about 70% of parents of Kyiv students choose the full-time form of education for their children.
Oksana Poenko, the founder and director of the Mainstream school in the capital, believes that the choice of the form of education in the current conditions should be individual.
“Now the safety of the child is of decisive importance, depending on this, the format of education can be different. If the school is equipped with a reliable shelter, then it can be even a safer place than a residential building where such shelter may not be,” she said.
According to Oksana Poenko, one should not forget about the traditional advantages and disadvantages of distance or face-to-face education.
“The best option for learning, in my opinion, is now a mixed form, when individual subjects can be taught remotely. The specifics of the course itself are of great importance. Some disciplines are much better perceived by students through the full-time form. We have implemented several concepts at our school as full-time, For example, there are specialized classes for older students, as well as an online school for distance education,” Poenko stressed.
In her opinion, the initiative of the Ministry of Education to reduce the number of students in classes and introduce two-shift education is correct not only for security reasons but also from a purely pedagogical point of view.
“Since 2016, the Mainstream School has been using a methodology to create a special social environment for students, when their individuality is maximally supported. It is optimal for a teacher to maintain communication with no more than 10 students during a lesson. Yes, there are state standards that say about 25-30 students, but, in my opinion, this is an outdated practice that should be abandoned long ago. In such a class, the teacher simply does not have time to pay enough attention to everyone, and this is very important for the development of the child’s individuality,” Poenko said.
The Mainstream School was founded in October 2016. The purpose of creating an educational institution was the need for quality education for children. The school appeared as an alternative to the state one, and over the years of working with children, it can be said with confidence that studying in a private school of a new format has its advantages. And the increase in the number of students by 10 times suggests that the positive aspects of such education are obvious!
Education in the school is focused primarily on the quality of education and the preparation of the student. The educational process at the school is focused primarily on the quality of education and the preparation of the student. The level of education of the child meets not only the requirements of state standards but also the obligatory needs of a modern person – the ability for independent and harmonious development, self-learning, and self-organization.
DISTANCE_EDUCATION, EDUCATION, MAINSTREAM_SCHOOL, OKSANA_PAENKO, SCHOOL
UNESCO will analyze the educational opportunities for temporarily evacuated citizens of Ukraine in the countries of the European Union, the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science said, citing UNESCO Assistant Director-General for Education Stefania Giannini.
“Ms. Stefania noted that UNESCO, within the framework of the mandate, will analyze what opportunities for education for temporarily evacuated citizens of Ukraine the EU countries can provide, especially for applicants for higher education. Giannini said that universities in some countries are already actively supporting students and academic staff and are ready to help them in the process of learning and activities,” the press service of the ministry said.
She also testified to the absolute support of the people of Ukraine and noted that UNESCO is ready to provide expert assistance in order to expand and strengthen our system of distance education.
Avtostrada, one of the leaders of road and bridge construction in Ukraine, has signed the dual education program agreement with the Kharkiv National Automobile and Road University.
The dual education program is the combination of studying in professional technical educational institutions with work in road construction companies. In Ukraine, there are only a few similar educational programs, which are being implemented, aimed at eliminating the technical professionals’ lack.
Starting from the 2022/2023 academic year, KhNADU students will be able to work on the roads and bridges of Avtostrada during their studies. The company has received more than 100 applications for participation in the program. The harmonization of the study format, curricula, and student assessment criteria is currently being finalized.
Dual education, which was first introduced in Germany in the 1960s, is now widely practiced in a number of European countries. For Ukraine, it is a know-how that is only gaining momentum. Avtostrada is ready to adopt the European approach and promote the project by transferring its best practices to educational institutions in order to bring the educational process to a qualitatively new level. This will help students to get deep knowledge of modern technologies and innovations used in road construction, and gain working experience with the latest technology.
This approach will allow training professionals who need both the company and the market. Students will receive all the necessary skills and will be able to work in the relevant sphere.
“Participation in the dual education program is a continuation of Avtostrada’s systematic approach to employees’ development. We have internal programs for staff development and training, internships, special internships with a guaranteed social package, as well as scholarship initiatives. Avtostrada updates the technical base of specialized educational institutions. Employees of the company share their experience with students at open lectures, meetings, and study tours to the company’s production facilities. Our goal is to popularize the profession of a road worker in order to help train a new generation of professionals and eliminate the “staff shortage” in the industry”, said Kateryna Vasyuta, HR Director of Avtostrada.
According to the rector of KhNADU Viktor Bogomolov, the implementation of the dual education program will bring the training of future road workers to a qualitatively new level and increase the institutional capacity of the university. “We have a strong educational base and strive to give our students the most up-to-date knowledge. Launching a dual form of training in cooperation with Avtostrada, one of the most innovative companies on the market, is an opportunity for our students to gain the full range of practical skills they need. Participants in the program will have exactly the experience that will allow them to succeed in the profession. About 50% of the internship will be the process of learning on-site. This internship will bridge the gap between the theory in lectures and the modern realities of the profession”, said Victor Bogomolov.
Avtostrada has been cooperating with Kharkiv National Automobile and Road University for a long time. The company employs almost 50 graduates of KhNADU, 35 of whom hold senior positions. Half of those who completed the training course was transferred to the positions of engineering and technical workers. Also, Avtostrada employees are undergoing advanced training at KhNADU, and employees of the university are involved in providing scientific and technical support for road construction projects of Avtostrada.
For reference
Avtostrada Group of Companies is one of the leaders in the road construction sector, a powerful modern Ukrainian company that has its own production chains and is part of MS|Capital holding. The company carries out major repairs and construction of roads and bridges. It owns more than 2.5 thousand units of specialized equipment and has a team of 5.5 professionals.
From next Monday, November 22, full-time education in the capital’s schools will be resumed, mayor of Kyiv Vitali Klitschko has said.
“The Commission for Emergency Situations of the city made a decision to resume full-time education in the capital’s schools from next Monday, November 22. For students of all grades,” the mayor wrote on his Telegram channel on Wednesday.
