Tiraspol Class of '07 dancing in the street

The equivalent to Tiraspol's 2007 Prom King and Queen paraded through the capital's streets as part of this year's celebration

TIRASPOL (Tiraspol Times) - An estimated 1,300 graduates were dancing in the street of Pridnestrovie's capital on Saturday.

This weekend the city was turned into a big public party by the Class of '07. The graduating students celebrated the end of school by dancing in the streets of Tiraspol, turning a major area of downtown into a huge street party. Separate parties in schools and homes took place Friday, Saturday and Sunday as well.

With a mix of hip hop, rap and classical music, there was something for everyone to dance to. The festivities started with a formal waltz, then included folk dances and - later, after dark - added elements of ska, funk and rave. Earlier, Tiraspol's equivalent to a 2007 Prom King and Prom Queen also paraded through the capital's streets as part of this year's celebration.

On 23 June 2007 all major cities and towns throughout the length of Pridnestrovie held large graduation parties. In Tiraspol, 1,300 students massed an area of downtown for free food, drinks and open air dancing.

Downtown Tiraspol was the scene of 1300 students joining in a massive street party with onlookers and family members participating as well.

PMR's Education Minister Mary Pashchenko participated in the dancing, after giving a short speech congratulating the students on getting their diplomas.

Medals and money

Seventy percent of Tiraspol's students finished with either good or excellent grades and got special recognition from a number of politicians and administrations officials.

The political party Renewal gave medals, thank-you letters and cash rewards to all the honors students. More gifts were also given by Victor Kostyrko, Tiraspol's mayor, on behalf of City Hall.

This year, a total of 4,686 students graduated in Pridnestrovie, having completed their 11th year of compulsory education.

Before degenerating into a mix of ska, funk and rave, Saturday's festivities started with a formal waltz.

Free compulsory education is provided by the state in Pridnestrovie and now follows the K-12 system, with public education from Kindergarten (5 or 6-year-old) through 12th grade (generally 17 or 18-year-old). A change last year in the law now requires 12 years of compulsory education but it was not implemented retroactively, which meant that students already in the system could graduate "on schedule" after just their eleventh year.

Of this year's batch of graduates, more than two thirds will continue on to college. According to data provided by the ministry of Education of PMR, approximately 70 percent of the graduates will enter higher educational institutions. Most of them will go to the Pridnestrovie State University in Tiraspol, for a free higher education. 25% will enter technical schools and institutes. Only 5% to 6% will enter the labor force immediately. (Photos: Olvia Press, NR2.ru)

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