In the hometown of the poet Mihai Eminescu, students benefit from ultra-modern educational conditions. That means 21st century technical equipment. In addition to interactive whiteboards, laptops and video projectors, students will also benefit from virtual reality devices.
The school in Mihai Eminescu commune where hi-tech is taught PHOTO Cosmin Zamfirache
The poet Mihai Eminescu was born in the town of Botoșani, but grew up from the age of 5 in the village of Ipoteștilor, currently Mihai Eminescu commune. This idyllic Ipotești, often described with nostalgia by the great poet, is located only 10 kilometers from Botoșani, and its surroundings represented a first source of inspiration for Eminesian creations related to nature. 135 years after Mihai Eminescu’s death, the Ipotești of his childhood became one of the most modern and populated rural administrative territorial units in Botoșani County. Locals have utilities, but especially their children enjoy modern schools. In short, the schools in the Mihai Eminescu commune are at 21st century standards, with facilities that exceed educational units in the city.
Interactive whiteboards, laptop for each student
The total rehabilitation of the schools in the Mihai Eminescu commune began four years ago. Five schools in five villages were repaired and upgraded. New, modern school furniture was bought, but primarily modern educational equipment. Being a pandemic, each student received a tablet and the teachers received laptops. In addition, the classrooms were equipped with interactive whiteboards and video projectors. After the lifting of the restrictions during the pandemic, the schools in the commune were again equipped, this time to also meet the requirements of classes in physical format. State-of-the-art interactive whiteboards were purchased, a computer lab was equipped, all classrooms with all-in-one systems and printers.
“The modernization of schools in the commune began in 2020. Then five schools out of six were rehabilitated. A project followed during the pandemic when, with the support of the City Hall, we managed to procure tablets for all students, laptops for all teachers and interactive whiteboards at schools. Through another project, this summer we managed to improve the equipment with the newest model of interactive whiteboard, a computer lab, all-in-one systems in all classrooms and printers. Not to mention the video projectors that exist in every classroom. We also have sound and camera systems for video conferencing”, says Eugen Vasiliu, the school director. For example, in math class, students learn, each with a laptop in front of them, connected to an interactive whiteboard. Students can generate and draw with a special pen geometric figures, make calculations and graphs.
Country school where lessons are prepared with the help of virtual reality
As the latest innovation, the school in Ipotești is also equipped with virtual reality glasses. They will receive the necessary educational software. Students will penetrate with the help of virtual reality, for example, inside the geometric bodies, they will be able to manipulate them as they wish. “We are waiting to receive the necessary software. I have already received the virtual reality glasses. There will be great interactive lessons“, says the school principal. It is probably the only school in the rural area that will benefit from such technology during classes. “It’s incredible. It’s worth coming to school for that alone. You can’t help but push yourself when you’re having fun and learning at the same time. On the interactive whiteboard, for example, I understand more easily. You quickly open a web page, clear yourself up, see models, then write, beautifully loud“, says an 8th grade student from the school in Ipotești.
“We have everything needed in a modern school”
The projects continue at the moment with a modern psycho-pedagogical office, a speech therapy office, and both will be served by specialists precisely to help students with different emotional or speech problems. In addition, gym equipment is purchased. The school in Ipotesti also benefits from a mini-library and a top reading room, with many new, modern books, encyclopedias, atlases, fiction. In addition, the reading room has comfortable armchairs and sofas. A literature and reading club also operates here.
“Recently, we managed to equip all the structures of the Mihai Eminescu-Ipotești school with all the modern means necessary to carry out the educational process in ideal conditions. I believe we have everything needed in a modern school. These facilities are important for all schools, they are necessary for the school to be really attractive for students, to come to school with pleasure, to be efficient, to combine modern and classical methods“, adds director Eugen Vasiliu. Moreover, with the modern facilities, school dropouts disappeared at the school in Ipotești. “Ever since online education, we have had to use technology that some of us did not master very well. We and the students learned as we went. We are very satisfied. Students come to school with great pleasure. I no longer miss classes and we no longer have school dropouts. It is a step towards the future“, also states the physics teacher Aurora Ailoaie. The money for equipment and rehabilitation was obtained both from government funds, but also from European funds, plus the own contribution of the “Mihai Eminescu” Municipality.
