Learning progress: a neural network can be created in Russia to help teachers

Artificial intelligence will help to get rid of bureaucratic routine and free up time for individual work with schoolchildren: on October 5, at a meeting with the finalists of pedagogical competitions, Vladimir Putin supported the introduction of the first domestic educational neural network and the transition to digital personal files of students. At the same time, the head of state urged not to replace academic knowledge with algorithms. On the same day, in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin, the president presented state awards and insignia to teachers and mentors who raised the heroes of the special operation, and also appreciated the work of Russia's second inclusive complex "Point of the Future" for 1,040 places in Yakutia, a high—tech cluster that provides equal starting opportunities for orphans and children with disabilities.

What Russian teachers offered Vladimir Putin

Vladimir Putin traditionally devoted Teacher's Day, which is celebrated in Russia on October 5, to direct dialogue with teachers and discussion of key educational initiatives. To do this, the head of state talked via video link with the laureates of the All-Russian pedagogical competitions, as well as the winners of related professional competitions.

— All of you, dear friends, have passed a difficult selection, proved your skills and dedication to your work. So, without any exaggeration, the golden fund of the national school is in touch with us today. And, of course, I bow low to all Russian teachers for their wisdom, talent, patience, loyalty to their profession and love for children," the president addressed them.

It directly depends on the pedagogical community how Russia will respond to the key challenges of the 21st century, the head of state noted. The participants willingly shared their initiatives with the president. In particular, it is the integration of digital services and artificial intelligence into the teaching process. Alexey Morozov, the winner of the Teacher of the Year competition, a computer science teacher from the Tver Region, proposed creating a domestic educational neural network trained strictly on unified textbooks and verified content, which would reduce teachers' dependence on paper routines.

The President readily agreed with this idea and admitted that neither he nor the Ministry of Education had ever thought of this idea. However, the head of state also expressed serious concerns about the uncontrolled introduction of algorithms into the educational process: AI should be an assistant teacher, but not a substitute for the full-fledged process of mastering knowledge, he stressed. In particular, Putin warned against a situation where learning turns into mechanical testing.

— One should always strive to ensure that the child trains his abilities, and for this he needs to be interested in working on the subject. We cannot create a situation in which we will have a separate intellectual elite that has been taught to think, and people who, according to their intellectual development, come second and third," he said.

The Ministry of Education promised to implement a proposal to create a neural network and AI in the field of education, taking into account all possible risks, Education Minister Sergei Kravtsov said.

Teachers have once again drawn attention to an old problem that does not seem to be decreasing from year to year — the bureaucratization of the work of classroom teachers. Nikolai Butov, the director of the Belgorod school, proposed to abandon the outdated practice of paper filling out forms and annual transfer of grades from electronic systems, creating full-fledged digital personal files of students. Vladimir Putin fully supported the initiative and promised to work with Sergey Kravtsov to develop the necessary regulatory framework for the implementation of this practice throughout the country.

Keeping a student's personal file in electronic form will significantly de-bureaucratize the work. There are 800,000 classroom teachers in the country, and this "huge army of teachers" needs to be helped, the president added.

The speech of Gleb Fomin, the winner of the "Best Native Language Teacher" competition, a teacher of the Vepsian language, who proposed creating a single digital library of content for the languages of small peoples, also caused a great response from the head of state. Vladimir Putin called this idea an accurate hit on the target, noting the deep historical context and stressing that learning native languages only strengthens the unity of multinational Russia.

Presentation of state awards

On the same day, a solemn ceremony of awarding state awards to teachers and mentors who raised the heroes of the special operation took place in the Catherine Hall of the Kremlin. Addressing the teachers, Vladimir Putin stressed that it was their daily work, honest conversations and personal example that shaped the worldview, character and fortitude of the young people who showed valor and bravery during the special military operation.

Putin drew attention to the fact that today military personnel themselves are involved in working with the younger generation. Teachers from Novosibirsk, Rostov, Belgorod regions, Dagestan and other regions were awarded state awards and honorary titles on this day. Teachers of the Heroes of Russia and holders of the Orders of Courage, primary school teachers, physics, mathematics and tactical special training were awarded the badge "For mentoring". Many of them have raised entire dynasties of defenders: for example, Alexander Zakharov, a physical education teacher from the Novosibirsk region, has more than 20 graduates, including his own son, the Hero of Russia. Nina Krayushkina, a physics teacher, was also awarded a badge for mentoring.

"I am very glad that most of my students trusted me as a teacher, became decent people, and in our time stood up for our Motherland when it needed it," she said.

The Medal of the Order of Merit for the Fatherland, II degree, and the honorary titles of Honored Teacher of the Russian Federation were awarded to teachers whose students performed military feats. Among them is Vasily Mikhailov, the mentor of Major Vladimir Mikhailovsky, who, deep behind enemy lines, called fire on himself to save the unit. Honorary titles were also awarded to Elena Yusufova, who raised the Hero of Russia, Lieutenant Colonel Enver Nabiev, whose tank battalion broke through an enemy ambush, and Patimat Isaeva, the teacher of Lieutenant Colonel Magomed Valikhov, who saved hundreds of wounded soldiers under fire.

New possibilities of the pedagogical process

Also on this day, Vladimir Putin took part in a videoconference at the opening of the innovative educational complex "Point of the Future" in Yakutia. The project, which was completely built at the expense of patrons, has already become the second in Russia after a similar one in Irkutsk. A social town has been set up here, where children from foster families and children with special health needs receive free modern education, comfortable housing and systematic support for a confident start in life.

— During the time when we work with children, especially with foster children, you hear such scary stories. A child already at his young age does not trust anyone. And here it is very important to give this child warmth, a foster family, and education so that he does not feel any difference, that he is just as normal," said Irina Belyanova, president of the New House Foundation.

The project in Yakutia was built taking into account the climate of the Far North, while maintaining the main concept of creating a barrier—free, inclusive and high-tech environment. The cluster has a capacity of 1,040 places and includes a kindergarten for 200 children, school buildings with interactive classrooms, digital laboratories and creative spaces for 840 students, as well as a sports and wellness center.

Vladimir Putin recalled that the appearance of such facilities harmoniously complements the state program "Development of Education", under which 1,719 new schools have already been opened since 2019. The main guideline of the course is to ensure equal starting opportunities for every child, regardless of their place of residence.