Govt to prepare for Russia's Year of Teacher in 2010.

MOSCOW, November 16 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian Prime Minister Vladimir
Putin will hold a meeting of the organizing committee in charge of holding
Russia's Year of Teacher in 2010, the Russian government press service
told Itar-Tass.

The organizing committee will consider the topical tasks of the state
policy "on the development of creative and professional potential of
teachers and on making the profession of teacher more prestigious," the
government press service said. Alongside, the organizing committee will
discuss the preparations to implementation of a plan of major events
during the Year of Teacher. Along with government officials President of
the Russian Trade Union of Education and Science Employees Galina
Merkulova, director of Moscow lyceum 1581 Anna Mekhed, who was named the
Russian Teacher of the Year in 2007 and other chiefs of educational
institutions, as well as several governors will participate in the meeting.
In the second state-of-the-nation address to the Federal Assembly
President Dmitry Medvedev gave close attention to the problems of
education, pedagogical education and the need of developing the so-called
"new school". "The modern school's main aim is to develop each pupil's
potential and help form them as individuals ready to take their place in a
high-technology and competitive world," the president noted. Medvedev
emphasized that it is necessary "to draft and introduce new education
standards and consequently expand the list of documents evaluating and
attesting to each pupil's success." "Furthermore, we will introduce
monitoring and comprehensive evaluation of students' academic
achievements, skills and abilities," the president remarked. Medvedev
believes that schools should become "creative and information centers
offering a rich intellectual and sporting life."
"One particular objective is to create a barrier-free school
environment for children with disabilities. A five-year state programme -
Open Environment - aimed at resolving these problems will be adopted in
2010," the president pointed out. Dmitry Medvedev believes that it is also
necessary "to give our schools more independence, both in elaborating
individual educational programmes and in spending funds. Starting next
year, schools that do well in the competition within the national project,
Education, will be granted independence and they will become autonomous
institutions." Medvedev also noted Russia needs legislation to make
public and private education more equal in the legal sense.
The president noted that the country has "to undertake a complete
overhaul of the teacher training system. We will be introducing mandatory
refresher courses and advanced training using the best Russian
universities and schools as the basis. Funds for professional development
should allow to choose among a range of educational programmes, and
teacher training institutes should be gradually transformed either into
major basic centers for training teachers or into faculties of education
at universities." "We will seek to invite those who are able to provide a
better quality of specialised education for senior students to teach in
our schools. This will include skilled professionals who have no formal
teacher education," Medvedev underlined.

.Medvedev says APEC summit organized perfectly.

SINGAPORE, November 16 (Itar-Tass) -- Russian President Dmitry
Medvedev said he was satisfied with the organization of the APEC summit in
Singapore.
"Accept my congratulations, everything was held perfectly," he said at
a meeting with the businessmen of Russia and Singapore on Monday. Medvedev
noted this issue is very interesting for Russia, as a similar summit will
be held in Vladivostok in 2012.
Medvedev noted that the APEC leaders discussed various issues,
certainly with a focus on overcoming the financial crisis. Alongside, they
also discussed the climate change, Medvedev remarked. "Certainly, all
heads of state are concerned over how to overcome the crisis and how long
the economy will be reviving," he said. According to Medvedev, the APEC
summit discussed what actions should be taken so that financial
institutions could adapt to modern conditions.
Alongside, the APEC leaders discussed the significance of this
organization and the creation of the business climate in the region, the
Russian president noted. "We will develop further cooperation within the
APEC," Medvedev underlined.

.Russia-Singapore trade grows by 60% - Medvedev.

SINGAPORE, November 16 (Itar-Tass) -- The Russian-Singaporean trade
has increased by 60% for the past year, Russian President Dmitry Medvedev
said at a meeting with the businessmen of the two countries on Monday.
He noted that the bilateral relations do not experience any
difficulties even amid the financial crisis. "The bilateral trade did not
reduce, but grew, it increased by 60% this year," Medvedev said, noting
that Russia and Singapore have "a good potential" in bilateral relations.
Broader cooperation will make it possible to realize this potential, he
pointed out. Specifically, an intergovernmental commission for economic
cooperation has been formed; various projects in various spheres will be
implemented.
Russia is interested in Singapore's experience in the investment
sector and the use of electronic communication means, including electronic
services for citizens and entrepreneurs, the Russian president stressed.
Medvedev noted that he was watching a presentation of the electronic
government, which was quite impressive.
Medvedev also believes Singapore's experience is interesting and
important for Russia in order to enter the market of the Asia-Pacific
region. Alongside, the Russian president believes that the countries
should strengthen a legal basis of cooperation. "Several proposals are
being prepared currently, it is very important, as this concerns business
ties and the exchange of human contacts," Medvedev underlined.
-0-baz