Aleksandr Lukashenko holds a working meeting with Education Minister Sergei Maskevich

Belarusian President Aleksandr Lukashenko held a working meeting with Education Minister Sergei Maskevich on 12 August. The meeting was attended by First Deputy Head of the President’s Administration Alexander Radkov.

The meeting discussed the preparations for the new school year, the enrollment campaign, training of specialists in universities and vocational schools in accordance with the needs of the national economy, and the development of the education system in general.

At the beginning of the meeting, the head of state asked how things are with the preparations for the new school year.

The President stressed that the state stands ready to provide funding to families to help them with the costs of going to school, if needed. But funds must be earmarked in a targeted fashion. "We should provide help directly to children. Because you know what kind of parents lack the means to provide clothing to their children," the head of state said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko warned against such situation when negligent parents are provided financial assistance but by the time the school begins they will have no funds left to buy clothes, footwear and necessary school supplies for their children.

In addition, the President drew particular attention to security issues: everything must be done properly in schools and the relevant instructions of the President must be implemented unswervingly.

Aleksandr Lukashenko demanded to improve discipline and organization of work in educational institutions.
The second set of issues was dedicated to the university enrollment campaign.

The meeting also considered the status of implementation of the instructions of the President regarding the further development of the education system in the country. "What has been left undone and what the problems are?" asked the head of state.

The Minister reported on the implementation of the instructions of the President regarding the development of secondary school, and vocational education.

With regard to vocational education, the meeting discussed the development of regional colleges, which are to ensure training of workers and specialists in the region (for a district or a set of districts).

The President instructed to devise a special program that would address the needs of regions in the personnel with vocational training. The matter is about the development of the institutions of education, modern colleges that will implement appropriate educational programs on a high professional level.

In addition, Aleksandr Lukashenko drew attention to the development of higher education, in particular, to the need for further work on the training of practice-oriented professionals. The Education Ministry has been instructed to consider the issue of target contract-based training with a view to improving the rules for admission.