Ouagadougou: Learning Russian opens a door to a new culture and new perspectives," according to the PDS: The president of the special delegation (PDS) of the commune of Nob©r©, Pierre Kafando, representing the governor of the Nazinon region, emphasized that learning the Russian language creates an opening to a different culture and new perspectives. This statement was made during the closing ceremony of a Russian training course, organized by the Saint-Anatole school group in Nyorida.
According to Burkina Information Agency, the event brought together administrative, traditional, and religious authorities, school officials, Russian partners, as well as students and their parents. Pierre Kafando conveyed the congratulations and encouragement of the Governor of Nazinon to the founder of the institution, Dr. Christian Ou©draogo, and the teaching staff, highlighting the significance of their efforts.
Dr. Christian Ou©draogo, founder of the Saint-Anatole de Nyorida school group, stated that this initiative aims to strengthen relations between Burkina Faso and Russia. He explained that the promotion of Russian language learning is driven by educators' desire to support the countries' rapprochement, especially after the participation of the President of Faso, Captain Ibrahim Traor©, in the Russia-Africa Forum in 2023.
The school group has established partnerships with several universities, including the South Ural State University of Human and Pedagogical Sciences, whose teachers were involved in the Russian language training. Dr. Ou©draogo mentioned that 63 learners participated in this first session and expressed hope for increased enrollment and the establishment of new classes next year to extend the initiative further.
The Russian partners' representative, Zinfira Crovatti, commended the learners' dedication and results. She noted that the "Russian as a Foreign Language" program receives support from the Russian Open Education Center under the Russian Ministry of Education, the "My Story" Private Fund, and the South Ural State University of Humanities and Pedagogy. Textbooks and activity books were provided to students to continue their Russian language education.
Dj¨n¨ba Ou©draogo, the regional director of secondary education and vocational and technical training in Nazinon, welcomed the initiative as a means for students to explore other cultures and seize new opportunities. She encouraged parents to consider enrolling their children in the school, emphasizing that learning Russian is a distinctive feature that sets the Saint-Anatole school group apart and could offer students opportunities for study and training in Russia.
The ceremony concluded with the presentation of certificates and awards to the top learners in the training program and a tree planting activity.