Keyword: «pedagogical methods»

The article presents a critical analysis of pedagogical approaches to ensuring the competitiveness of students in educational organizations of the Russian MIA system. The relevance lies in the following. Modern training of personnel for law enforcement agencies requires the formation in cadets of not only professional knowledge and skills, but also such personal qualities as congenial competitiveness and the striving to achieve excellent results. Competitiveness is considered in pedagogical science as one of the factors of motivation and professional development of students; however, there is no unified understanding of its role or optimal methods of implementation in the educational process. The aim of this work is to summarize and critically evaluate the existing approaches to developing competitiveness among cadets of MIA universities, identify their strengths and weaknesses, and determine prospects for applying these approaches. Leading research approaches: a theoretical and methodological analysis of recent domestic and foreign scientific literature on the problem of competition and competitiveness in education was made; general scientific methods of comparative and systems analysis, synthesis and generalization were applied. The main results: it is proved that competitiveness as a pedagogical phenomenon includes a set of competitive practices (academic contests, rating systems, team and individual competitions) aimed at increasing motivation and improving the quality of training. It is found that traditional approaches – from academic Olympiads to sports competitions – have a positive impact on the cognitive activity and professionally significant qualities of cadets, yet they assume risks of excessive competition, increased stress, and reduced cooperation. In the context of MIA universities, the use of competitive methods should take into account the specifics of discipline and service; healthy competition is important, which does not undermine team cohesion. The theoretical significance lies in the fact that the conclusions of the article contribute to the development of pedagogical theory regarding the role of competition and cooperation in professional education. The practical significance lies in the recommendations for the optimal implementation of competitive elements in the educational process of MIA universities – those that increase cadets’ motivation and competency without negative consequences for the educational environment.