How the City of Moscow is updating its entire educational system

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The Russian capital is on an educational spree. Since the collapse of the Soviet system, a lot of work was needed to modernise not only the curriculum but also the supporting infrastructure.

As the new school year dawned, Director of school 2114, Kolosova Irina Anatolevna explained how a skills-based curriculum is at the heart of the developing curriculum with mathematics, engineering and sciences central to that drive. Home to 3,738 pupils and spread across three buildings, School 2114 is situated in the Southern suburbs of Moscow, with 186 teachers part of 665 adults working across the site. With a clear investment made in the infrastructure, what is on show in School 2114 is mirrored across other school sites within Moscow, and a project-based approach to learning is also evident, although many curriculum objectives need to be met.

Throughout the school, it is possible to see the latest innovations in engineering, robotics and technological advances – where else in the world do students learn about Drone technology and the electronics, software and hardware required to safely operate in simulated and real-life situations?

Teaching students about all aspects of Drone technology – School 2114, Moscow

Additionally, the school boasts the latest in lazer cutting technology that supports working with different materials, along with 3D printers helping to build anything within the realms of creative young minds.

Supporting this revolution in education development is the Moscow e-schools platform, built using curriculum standards, but also resourced with activities created by the teachers themselves. Available in schools and at home, this rich and accessible resources help students extend their learning.

As a former mathematics teacher, Kolosova enjoys the data that the online system offers, maintaining that with so many students, checking progress, attendance and behaviour are all important management processes. On the tour, the Director told about how even the youngest pupils get to explore and develop skills by exploring the impressive robotics laboratory.

A typical classroom environment in School 2114, including opportunities for traditional teaching, and inclusion of technology.

It is clear that Moscow schools faced many challenges in recent history, but a change in policy, along with a clear investment in the infrastructure supporting innovative teaching and learning is now having a positive impact on the education system within the city. School 2114 is not unique, with many projects mirrored across the city. School 2114 also enjoys a swimming pool, allowing students to build their physical skills, but the facilities are also available to the local community when not in use by the school.

The bright, well-presented and updated School 2114 certainly showed the progress that has been made, and a show-case of what education can look like with positive investment, the inclusion of professionals in delivering the curriculum, and a clear vision of what a 21st education should include in terms of technology opportunities.