There are no untalented people.  There are those who don’t want to develop their abilities.  And, of course, those who strive to make the most of their talents should receive an elite education.  An elite education means one that is sound and solid.  The task of every person is to be deserving of such an education, and the task of the government is to provide this type of school experience for all children.  Russia can maintain its position as an influential world leader only as long as it has a secure foothold on an educated society.

Kofi Annan once said, “You must not confuse tolerance with passiveness, consent, or indifference.  It’s an active, positive, responsible attitude toward human differences.”  I don’t agree with him.  Personally, I think that it’s impossible to conceal indifference under tolerance. Tolerance is more than simply solidarity with others, but the ability to listen and calmly accept another’s point of view and not encroach on their rights and values.

At the conclusion of the summits in Gleneagles and Heyligendamm an action plan for how the G8 will deal with the problem of climate change was formulated.  I believe that the development of this plan is a significant step in stabilizing the ecological condition of the planet, as namely excess carbon dioxide is the prime reason for global warming.  In my essay I suggest that the measures included in the above plan be listed in concrete terms and consider how they could be implemented in Russia and in the Krasnoyarsk Territory.

The present times dictate their own conditions. In order to successfully develop the school system in our modern world, it’s necessary to integrate it with business.  I also think school children need a new form of motivation to encourage them to study.  I propose that each school establish a partnership with a highly organized business to create and implement a system of competitiveness among schools.  In terms of highly organized business I am referring to companies, factories, and enterprises that are able to invest in such projects.

The strategic goal of the “New School” must be self-actualization for its graduates.  Upon completing school, a graduate should know how to plan his life, calculate his resources and make use them in the most effective manner to achieve his goals.  A person completing school must have a procedure for independent goal-setting that will give him the opportunity for self-actualization upon graduating.  It’s clear that both pedagogical institutions of higher education and schools should introduce some new subjects, such as learning how to do the above skill.

Education for the masses and an elite education are parts of a complete, unified educational system which is the cornerstone of society.  An elite education must be based a quality general education.  The government should pay for an elite education because, without this, some gifted children not might have access to such an education.  If one receives an elite education, he must use it for the good of society and for Russia.  In this case, the state treasury would not be put in jeopardy and gifted children wouldn’t go without an elite education.  This would also help the “brain drain” situation where many gifted Russians leave the country to live elsewhere.  Having received a government-financed education, young people would work in Russia helping their country develop and prosper.

It’s easier to prevent an illness than to treat it.  Thus, the health of schoolchildren should be a priority in our country.  If a teenager actively participates in class and school projects and takes part in extracurricular activities, then he will feel good about himself.  He will have many interesting friends, and as a result, the chances that he will end up in a risk group will lessen. Last year was difficult for Russia in terms of the economy.  We had to try to save money to survive it.  But why was funding for those conducting supplementary education cut back?  It is really necessary.  Namely all types of hobby groups, workshops, and studios enable pupils who are not exceptional academic students, to be successful in something else.  It means that they will have a respectable place in society.

Apart the many factors influencing the success of educational reform, there is one that should be singled out that is very important.  This is the preparedness of school children themselves to change.  They must not have a negative view of reform as yet another whim of the Ministry of Education. Pupils must see it as important and understand that our powerful country, Russia, will lean on us in the future.  We must not fail our country.