DUSHANBE, October 25, 2010, Asia-Plus  -- By education minister’s order the autumn and spring school holidays are canceled this year school year and the winter school holidays are extended till January 31, 2011.

Winter’s school vacation period will last from January 1 to January 31, 2011, while the autumn (October 24-November 1) and the spring holidays (March 24-April1) are canceled this school year, Education Minister Abdujabbor Rahmonov said.

According to him, refresher training courses for teachers will be conducted in January.  “Besides, we plan to hold school Olympiads during this period at the proper level,” said the minister, “We will also have an opportunity to organize preparation courses for school leavers so that they will be properly trained for entering universities.”  Rahmonov says such a training method is used in many countries.

The government has supported this order, the minister said.

Besides, by minister’s order, the school year that usually ends on May 25 will be extended till June 10.