A boat trip is a favorite pastime for Kyiv graduates
This is another innovation introduced this year. In addition, with the start of summer, schoolchildren will not be immediately released for vacation. From May 31 to June 18, students in grades 1-10 will have mandatory State Final Certification.
This innovation by the Kyiv City State Administration was received differently. The advantages are that holding the 'Last School Bell' and the Prom on the same day promises some financial savings for parents of graduates. Also, conducting the External Independent Testing after former students celebrate the 'end of childhood' will instill a sense of greater responsibility in them, since test results play an important role in entering adult life.
But, looking from the other side, there are negative aspects as well. First of all, combining two important events for graduates into one day creates great inconveniences in preparing for the Prom at the expense of a full 'Last Bell' celebration. Moreover, many parents had already arranged the rental of pleasure boats in Kyiv for the Prom in late autumn, meaning a prepayment was made. By the way, renting a pleasure boat in Kyiv for the 'prom night' costs about as much as renting a yacht in Kyiv for a whole day. The same price comparisons can be made with booking musicians, artists, and decorators.
Probably, already in the next year 2011, the planning of school events for the end of studies, as well as rental of pleasure boats in Kyiv for proms, will be more systematized. But the year 2012 promises almost no celebrations for the end of school. This is a consequence of the planned transition of the education system to a 12-year program.
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