
www.euronews.com Russia has an enviably high literacy rate of nearly 100%. The influences of the Soviet era are still very much present although, to keep up with the modern world, these are now changing. But what about the overall quality of education? What do Russians themselves think of their education system? *Critical thinking* The New Humanitarian School in Moscow was one of the first private schools to open in Russia after the end of the Soviet era, and its teaching is radically different. Vasily Bogin, the head teacher and founder of the New Humanitarian School, said: "We educate children in a broad sense. The education we give them includes developing their personal potential. A smart villain is worse than a stupid one. So it is primordial to make a good person first, and then a clever one." Lessons include "anti-manipulation classes" - interpreting hidden messages in the media. The aim is to make each child capable of independent thought. One American family, who moved to Moscow 18 months ago, decided to try this school rather than an international school where all classes are taught in English. Cassandra Cavernaugh said: "In coming here we wanted to find an school that would keep the best traditions of Soviet education, the rigor of the curriculum, the seriousness of the curriculum, and combine that with methods and approaches which would be more child-centred." The lessons are videotaped so that teachers can analyse the results. All the pupils are closely <b>...</b>
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