Full-scale implementation of the project started after changes in the regional law, ensuring the parents’ right to choose educational forms, as well as additional payments for teachers, working with children from nomadic families.
Children from nomadic families are traditionally educated in boarding schools, where they are known to be at a disadvantage compared with their peers living in large settlements, because they do not receive pre-school and pre-primary education. Once separated from the family, the native language environment, the usual way of life, children are poorly adapted to the new school rhythm.
An important advantage of nomadic schools is providing children with opportunities to receive education in a familiar environment. Kindergardens and schools are organized on the camping places of their parents. Education in the family and preservation of cultural traditions are the fundamental difference of this new educational model.
In the framework of the "Nomadic School" project the first group of students on a specialty "Teaching in elementary classes" with additional specialization "Nomadic teacher" graduated Yamal Multidisciplinary College last year and started their work in the nomadic schools of Ural region.
Organization of short-stay groups for children, leading nomadic life with their parents, as well as pre-primary education in the summer helps children to adapt more easily in schools and contributes to more successful study in the future. Kids get the opportunity to maintain the cultural and historical traditions of their ancestors, without losing communication skills in their native language.
More information on the progress and results of the regional project "Nomadic School" as well as training materials (in Russian) are available on the official website of the Yamalo-Nenets Autonomous District’s Department of Education.