In Irkutsk, the 10th city education forum Education of Irkutsk 2015 has started, lasting until February 19 at Sibexpocentre. Participants will have conferences, workshops, round tables, an exhibition of innovative practices and 29 municipal professional skill contests with over 700 teachers. The forum will discuss achievements and prospects for the city education system and for the first time present the public recognition contests Top 10 and New Wave.

Starting from February 4, the X City Educational Forum “Education of Irkutsk-2015” will be held at the Irkutsk Exhibition Complex “Sibexpocentre.” Traditionally, this large-scale event is organized by the Department of Education of the Committee on Social Policy and Culture of the Irkutsk City Administration. The forum will showcase the achievements of the municipal education system, present the prospects for the development of the city’s education system, and acquaint the public with the results of the activities and innovative experience of educational institutions over the past year. On February 4, the ceremonial opening was attended by Irkutsk Mayor Viktor Kondrashov, Deputy Minister of Education of the Irkutsk Region Maksim Parfenov, Chairman of the Irkutsk City Duma Dmitry Berdnikov, Minister of Education of the Irkutsk Region Maksim Parfenov, Head of the Irkutsk Department of Education Valentina Peregudova, heads of educational institutions, teachers, and representatives of the pedagogical community.
As part of the educational forum, conferences, business meetings, master classes, round tables, presentations, and the exhibition “Education — a Look into the City’s Future” are planned. An expanded meeting of the board of the Department of Education will take place at the Sibexpocentre venue. A meeting of heads of educational organizations will be held, at which a report on the results of the Irkutsk education system’s activities in 2014 and the prospects for development in 2015 will be presented.
The participants of the event were greeted by Irkutsk Mayor Viktor Kondrashov. — “Irkutsk has long been famous for its educational traditions and for the people who bring honor to our city by receiving their education here and carrying their knowledge not only for the benefit of our city, but of our entire country. At present, Russia is in a difficult international situation, and the sanctions imposed against our country give us additional strength and confidence that we are on the right path. Today, the education system we have must provide the country with new intelligent personnel, since this is only the beginning of the situation that is now unfolding. We will need very serious work to unite all the residents of our vast country, and education should be one of the pillars. The Irkutsk administration constantly pays great attention to this issue and also fulfills the plans and goals that have been set. The future of many sectors of the economy and science, the future of our city and our entire country, largely depends on teachers. After all, the worldview, life values, and goals of the younger generation depend on the foundation laid during primary and secondary education. In this regard, the forum is very important for us as an indicator of the education system, accurately showing all changes, processes, and trends. The educational forum is feedback, a platform for exchanging experience. Based on the results of the forum, we can coordinate our actions and fine-tune steps to improve the education system. In turn, I would like to wish you all the very best, prosperity, and success for all of us together.”
Irkutsk City Duma Chairman Dmitry Berdnikov also spoke at the forum. –“The forum will provide an opportunity for parents, students, and the entire professional community to see the real results of the implementation of programs and projects in the field of education. There is probably no need to emphasize how important your profession is and how much warmth you give to your students. You teach us and our children many sciences and wisdoms, but the most important thing is the love you instill for your homeland. Dear forum participants, I wish you interesting discussions, success and victories in competitive programs, and the realization of your boldest plans and initiatives!”
Deputy Minister of Education of the Irkutsk Region Maksim Parfenov also attended the event; he wished the forum participants creative inspiration, businesslike communication, and a good time at the forum. Maksim Parfenov added that the education system of Irkutsk is the largest educational system in the region, and that teachers and educators are the main support and backbone of education.
Irkutsk Mayor Viktor Kondrashov and Dmitry Berdnikov visited the educational exhibition-fair, where the innovative experience of the city’s educational institutions and teachers is presented, and viewed its exhibits.
Within the framework of the tenth city educational forum, 29 municipal professional skills competitions will be held, in which more than 700 teachers and instructors will take part.
For the first time, competitions for public recognition of educational organizations “Top 10” and “New Wave” will be organized (for heads of educational institutions with 1 to 5 years of managerial experience). In addition, the congress of educational institutions “Education — a Look into the City’s Future,” the methodological assembly “Through the Prism of Pedagogical Ideas,” the international environmental conference “Ecology in the System of Culture,” the conference for young specialists “Your Name Is Teacher,” Open Days, pedagogical mastery events, and many other activities are planned.
Every year, more than 8,000 participants take part in the forum’s events: teaching staff, parents and representatives of the public, and students. The tenth educational forum “Education of Irkutsk - 2015” will conclude on February 19.
Based on materials from the press service of the Irkutsk administration.