OREANDA-NEWS. January 19, 2010. Dmitry Medvedev held a meeting of Council for Implementation of Priority National Projects and Demographic Policy devoted to developing education, healthcare and demographic policies.
 
Mr Medvedev stressed that the national projects remains one of Russia's development priorities. They have proven effective and been one of the most successful social programmes of the past 20 years, Dmitry Medvedev said.

The meeting also discussed the results of the realisation of demographic policy-related events in 2007-2009 to improve the health of women, children and adolescents and, in particular, the modernisation of the mandatory medical insurance system.

President Medvedev outlined the priorities for the near future: it is necessary to introduce modern technology for monitoring babies in their first year of life, to continue to develop a network of perinatal centres, to promote a healthy lifestyle for children, ensure their proper nourishment, and develop physical culture and sports. Mr Medvedev also noted that the regions should actively interact with public and charitable organisations providing assistance in this area.

A draft education initiative, Our New School, was reviewed at the meeting. Mr Medvedev noted in particular that special attention should be given to introducing a new system for teachers' remuneration, improving their skills and also searching out youth with modern innovative thinking, able to develop a knowledge-based economy in the future. President Medvedev also pointed to the need to expand the network of boarding schools affiliated with federal universities, as well as the model of additional (correspondence and distance) learning at national research universities.