Defense ministry to stop enrolling cadets in 2010

01.09.2010 Russian defense ministry stops enrollment of cadets to education institutions this year, although says all teachers will remain at their posts, reported deputy chief of personnel department Tamara Fraltsova.

Previously, she said that current system of military education is adequate for a 4-mln army. Reformation of the armed forces and significant reduction of officer posts required serious changes in educational system – number of institutions will be decreased, duplication of specialties will be annulled, and remained institutions will be integrated into interbranch scientific and training centers. Besides, Mrs. Fraltsova said enrollment of cadets would be reduced in 2010.

"We did not enroll 1st year cadets in 2010. That was connected with redundancy of officers and lack of officer posts in the armed forces", said Mrs. Fraltsova during a call-in show arranged by RIA Novosti.

According to her, today military educational institutions train 4-5 times more officers than needed.

"We understand that 1st and 2nd year cadets primarily study basic disciplines, so cancellation of enrollment will not affect teaching staff", Fraltsova said.

She added that about 60% military educational institutions actively train students on commercial basis.

"Therefore, by giving a military component to civil students, we create a sort of buffer cushion to avoid staffing shortfall in the armed forces", she pointed out.

With the view to preserve officer posts and pedagogic staff in defense ministry's educational institutions, we will launch a specialized secondary education program since this year, also said Fraltsova.

"Since 2010 all institutions will start 3-year training courses for sergeants. Besides, we will transfer sergeants there to pass half-year training periods", she said.