Olga Basarimova , the administrator of Adult Education Center СОВ@ in Krasnopillya, works as a teacher. For a long time she dreamed that in her town there would be colorful ads with invitations to interesting and useful courses for adults. But it so happened that Olga with a team began to organize such courses for the citizens of Krasnopillya.
DVV: Why did you start doing the theme of adult education?
Olga: I have been working in formal education for a long time. I began to ask myself the question, why do we, in the urban settlement, adults do not have the opportunity to also receive non-formal education by organizing additional courses for students?
It is clear that in the age of modern technology and with great desire, you can get education remotely - no problem at all. However, live communication is much more pleasant, isn't it? But I could not imagine that the whole step from dream to reality. If you make every effort, and especially if there is a strong support from the partner organization DVV international in Belarus, local authorities and, of course, the team of my colleagues.
I always thought that I wanted to finally see a colorful ad that will invite me to any interesting courses, thinking about additional education in Krasnopillya. But I never thought that it would be my job and I will be part of a friendly team that promotes adult further education in Krasnopillya.
And the most important stimulus in creating our Center is the experience of Germany. We managed to visit it in March 2019. This study visit was organized within the framework of the project "Learning to act" and its main goal was to familiarize Belarusians with the features of the German model of adult education. We got to know each other, studied, remained under great impression and started to act.
DVV: Which is the biggest challenge the Center has faced at the moment?
Olga: There are two aspects here. Firstly, it is the uncertainty of local trainers: many do not have experience working with adults. Secondly, there is a share of distrust among Krasnopillya citizens. It is due only to the fact that some people are wary of everything new or, simply, the word "education" is a bit alarming, as many people associate it with sitting at the desk and listening to boring lectures.
We are well aware that the best advertisement for our Center is the pleasant feedback of our first students, who are happy to continue their studies with us, as well as bring their family and friends.
DVV: The biggest achievement of the Center and your team?
Olga: We are glad that last year with the help of professional trainers we managed to hold three courses: "Beauty.Health.Sport", "Landscape Design" and "Basics of Individual Entrepreneurship". Thanks to the courses, over 35 people received additional education in these areas.
The courses were designed to be as beneficial as possible for some trainees. After "The Basics of Individual Entrepreneurship", someone started a business. After the course "Landscape Design", the students creatively approached the design of the territory of their homestead and already boasted with photos of their projects. Well, those who were listeners of "Beauty. Sports", have received new knowledge and competence in the field of care of the body and health.
In addition, it was gratifying to learn that women continued independent fitness classes, taught simple exercises to their children, parents, and in some cases husbands. Now exercising at home to strengthen their spirit and health is a family business and a daily tradition. We are also proud that every day more and more people are interested in starting new courses and looking forward to the start of our new season.
DVV: How much do you think adult education centers are in demand in your city?
Olga: Krasnopillya citizens step by step overcome their suspicions, more and more people are interested in the courses, and in some cases offer themselves as coaches, which can't help but gladden.
Regular listeners, feel in the Center already as in the company of good old friends, some come with children. Apart from the main goal - to get additional education, there is an opportunity to communicate with like-minded people, to find friends, to discuss worrying problems.
A centre is a place that unites people with a good purpose, a place that is necessary for a person to realize ideas, creativity and dreams, no matter how banal it may sound. Because if you just sit and dream, for example, to speak English, then the probability of this, perhaps, a hundred to one, but if you come to the course "English for Beginners and Multiple Beginners", the chances increase lightning fast.
DVV: Maybe you could highlight some trends in the development of adult education around the world and what do you think already exists in Belarus?
Olga: Additional adult education in many countries has already strengthened its position quite firmly. We know that Germany plays a significant role in the development and implementation of these ideas. The uniqueness of the German education is that Germany was the first country where the term "andragogy" gained the right to exist, and also the education for such a layer of "adult German society" as workers was widely developed.
In addition, German specialists were among the first to pay attention to the peculiarities of the adult learner, and at the present stage also conducted theoretical, practical and didactic research in the field of adult education. Germany is a flagship in adult education without losing its "national colour". Working on adult education in Belarus, we seek to adopt the experience of German colleagues, while trying to preserve its national flavor: Belarusian culture, customs, peculiarities of our territory.
It is quite possible and realistic to adopt the experience in this direction. In fact, in order to successfully pass your way, you do not need to fully rely on the authority of someone who was already on the finish line. It is necessary to evaluate the history of this or that success in a comprehensive way, taking into account all the components, both positive and negative. This is the only way we can understand what is appropriate and applicable in our case.
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