The next test threatens officials in Ulyanovsk. Governor Sergey Morozov is determined to make his subordinates learn English and then take an exam
Sergey Morozov voiced an unusual proposal at the last meeting in local government. The head of the region was clearly dissatisfied with the work of his subordinates. He said that his impression of the MIPIM 2008 real estate exhibition, which was held at the beginning of March in Cannes, was blurred as not all the officials were able to fully communicate with potential investors because of the language barrier. Therefore, the governor has decided that this barrier must be abolished.
Sergei Morozov’s subordinates received his proposal to learn English wholeheartedly; they have already had time to get used to their boss’s whims. For example, not so long ago, officials were made to take exams in Russian language and local studies. Testing civil servants for computer literacy has also been discussed, but things have reached that stage yet.
The public initially viewed Mr. Morozov’s latest idea as a joke. But in the administration of the head of the region they immediately took it seriously.They have even begun to work out a study program. The Ulyanovsk Cabinet felt that teaching a foreign language to all officials is impractical. Since then they have decided that only members of the government - about twenty people – will undergo language training. They will even have to pay out of their own pockets for the knowledge as there is no money allocated for this in the local budget.
It is expected that members of the government will study English over the course of a few months, after which they will have to take an exam. Apparently, those who fail the exam may even face dismissal. Specialists believe that fully mastering a foreign language in a few months is impossible. “The officials will obviously receive a certain amount of knowledge, but I doubt that they will have enough for conducting diplomatic or business negotiations with foreign partners,” believes Mikhail Semenov, a linguist and translator. “To begin with our officials should learn their native language. Furthermore, I just don’t understand what all these exams are for! If a governor thinks that an official lacks education, then just don’t employ him,” believes Professor Isaac Greenberg, a member of the regional Public Chamber.
But these views are unlikely to stop the governor of the Ulyanovsk Region.Sergey Morozov is perhaps the most active regional boss in terms of coming up with ambitious initiatives.
Mikhail Bely
Photo: Comstock complete / Fotolink
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