OVERSEAS EDUCATORS TOUR SCHOOL

Two educators from the former Soviet Union are studying the American education system in hopes of easing changes under way in their countries.

As their countries move toward independence and democracy, the education system must change also, they said Thursday in speaking with students at Cape Girardeau Central High School.

The two educators, Victor Kirillov from the Ukraine and Zamira Igamberdieva from Tajikistan, are studying educational administration at Southeast Missouri State University this year.

Kirillov said, "I hope to help restructure the educational system. My country is leading into democracy. The educational system needs restructuring to make it more effective."

Kirillov and Igamberdieva teach English at universities. Both are also being recruited into administrative positions in their respective countries.

"We have no special training for principals or superintendents," Igamberdieva said, which is one reason they are studying at Southeast.

Russia's educational system is standardized for all students in all republics across all boundaries. Students in every class learn the same subjects using the same textbooks. Education inspectors check up on teachers to make sure they follow the prescribed program.

All children are required to attend 11 years of school. Students who score high on placement exams may attend universities, all expenses paid. Tuition is free, books are free, and students receive stipends. The amount depends on the success of the student. Others attend trade schools or go to work.

One area of concern, Igamberdieva said, it that the educational system does not have provisions for special education students or those with different levels of ability or interest. "All of the students are in the same group; they all get the same program," said Igamberdieva.

Kirillov said, "I like the selectives in your schools." He said some courses should be compulsory but it would be nice for students to have some choices too.

"The Soviet school is a more formal place," Kirillov said. "Students sit up straight, refrain from leaning on their elbows, stand when the teacher enters the room, stand when reciting for the teacher."

If students misbehave, he explained, teachers may call the parents to school for a public admonishment. Teachers may also contact the parent's boss. "They they will be punished at their office," he said.

But, he said: "I think our schools are too formal. I think it would be good if relationships between teachers and students could be developed."

All students are required to study a foreign language, selected in the fourth grade. Students continue studying that one language through their entire school career. Choices are English, French, Spanish and German.

Kirillov said German had been the most popular language for many years, but has recently been topped by English.

In addition, beginning in the fourth grade students are taught labor skills, using simple tools for boys and learning to sew and cook for girls.

This is in preparation for vocational training some students will receive starting at the ninth grade.

Vestiges of the communistic regime are evident.

Among mandatory school courses is "Military Training for Boys." Beginning in the ninth or tenth grade, boys have this class two hours a week.

When the harvest is ready, all students, including university students, go to the fields to pick crops.

Kirillov said: "The problem we have is that young people don't want to stay in rural areas because of the bad conditions. Only very old people are left in many villages. They need help to gather in the crop."

He said that unlike students in Cape Girardeau, very few high school students in the Ukraine drive cars.

"A brand new car costs about 2,000 American dollars," said Kirillov. "But the salary of an average worker would be about $15 or $20 dollars a month. You would have to save many years to buy a car."