Three seventh-grade classes in Volgograd gymnasium lack math teacher

Three seventh-grade classes at Gymnasium No. 2 in the Krasnoarmeysky District of Volgograd are without a mathematics teacher. According to parents, a computer science teacher has been instructing children in this complex subject for over a year. Concerned mothers are asking what level of knowledge their children will have when it comes time for the state exam.

“Gymnasium No. 2 in the Krasnoarmeysky District has been waiting for a math teacher for seventh graders for the second year. We have four seventh-grade classes in total. In grade 7 «A,» math is taught by the deputy principal, but the other children seem abandoned. For them, math is taught by a computer science teacher. The quality of education has dropped; it seems like there is none. They only solve examples; they don’t know how to solve word problems,” parents told V1.RU. “As we were explained, the school is looking for a teacher, but no one wants to work. We really want our children to gain knowledge. The OGE (state exam) is approaching. Not every family can afford a tutor.”

According to job search websites, the gymnasium is indeed looking for a full-time mathematics teacher. The candidate must form concrete knowledge, skills, and abilities in mathematics and computer science; cooperate with other teachers of mathematics, computer science, physics, economics, and languages; develop student initiative and maintain a dialogue with them during problem-solving; and work with parents. For this, the employer offers a salary from 27,000 to 30,000 rubles (approximately $300-333 at current rates).

In a conversation with a V1.RU correspondent, the gymnasium’s director, Tatyana Kuzmina, initially stated that all lessons, including mathematics, are being conducted in all classes, though she did not specify which teachers were responsible. A few minutes later, the director called the editorial office back, disavowing the comment and stating she had left her phone in her office and someone else had answered the call. She redirected questions about the teacher shortage and the specifics of teaching math to seventh graders to the Volgograd city administration.

V1.RU contacted the Volgograd administration for comment on the mathematics teaching situation at the gymnasium. No response had been received by the time of publication.

Recall that fifth-grade classes at Gymnasium No. 13 in the Traktorozavodsky District were also left without a math teacher after the January holidays. There, according to parents, the subject was simply removed from the schedule. The previous teacher quit, but no one replaced them because there was no one to hire. A new employee would be offered 28,000 to 40,000 rubles (approximately $311-444 at current rates).