Kiev, Ukraine - The challenges of the 21st century require changes in contemporary education to help young people become competent, creative, and competitive, able to solve problems creatively, and improve their own lives and their country. To address such important issues, a nationwide theoretical and practical conference on “The Essential Competencies of Education in 11 Years of Schooling” was held March 28-29 at Pechersk Gymnasium No. 75 in Kiev.
This Conference of the Institute of Innovative Technology and content of education of the Academy of Pedagogical Sciences was initiated mainly by Mr. Yermakov Ivan Gnatovych, Professor of History and Ambassador for Peace.
The conference was attended by scholars, experts, and educators from Kiev and other cities of Ukraine in order to exchange experiences and generate new ideas about how to help young people learn to integrate modern knowledge into more complex structures – life qualifications, continuous learning, and learning to be successful and happy persons.
The plenary session addressed the formation of student competencies as well as implementation of competence education according to the state standards of education. Participants of the conference had an opportunity not only to exchange experiences regarding to the implementation of the competence approach to education but also to develop practical steps and methods in that direction.
Through the online webcast, participants in the conference also had an opportunity to listen to the experiences of Moscow colleagues concerning the implementation of competencies education at their institutions. Before the conference a practical handbook was published, containing articles by Ukrainian scholars and teachers who are implementing competencies education. That handbook was dedicated to the 125th anniversary of the prominent educator A.S. Makarenko.
Mr. Mykhаilo Ilin, Head of UPF-Ukraine, reported about promoting the spirit of service to society. He emphasized the importance for young people to understand the goals of life, orient their personal interests to national and state interests, and develop the desire to serve society selflessly.
At the forum, students of the Gymnasium presented a performance entitled “Our students are competent and happy.” Talented children entertained guests with their songs, dances, and performances.
The conference confirmed that the modern world urgently needs educational reform. Participants advocated creating a new type of Ukrainian school that would educate competent students, promote comprehensive physical, intellectual, spiritual, and cultural development, and build Ukraine's domestic and foreign legacy.
Participants in the conference came to the conclusion that education must pursue solutions to the challenges of the new century, develop the students' creative abilities, and cultivate new ways of thinking and acting. This will require the involvement of educators and civil society.