‘Despite the current economic difficulties, Chelyabinsk Region keeps supporting the local educational facilities,’ Governor of Chelyabinsk Region Petr Sumin announced at an educational board meeting in Magnitogorsk.

According to the spokesperson for the Governor, over 11 billion RUR has already been invested in the educational system this year. 473 million RUR was directed to facilities improvements and teacher training programs; 40 million RUR was spent on textbooks. The remaining 70 million RUR will be spent on school buildings repairs and installation of security devices.

During the meeting, Sumin spoke about the importance of development for the modern schools.

‘Today’s economy is primarily affected by the human factor and the skills and qualifications of the employees. Education as such cannot become the driving force behind an economic recovery, but it can provide the country with newly trained personnel indispensable for the innovational industrial branches,’ he said.

The Governor believes this is exactly what the Russian Federation President Dmitriy Medvedev’s initiative on on-campus think tanks is about. These companies are sure to provide ample opportunities for putting their theoretical findings to practice. In fact, the President’s initiative was discussed by Chelyabinsk Region Provost Council today. The higher school representatives are to submit their proposals to an ad hoc committee set up by the Governor.