Report of Education Minister Igor Karpenko

Belarus should kick-start a new academic year, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he heard out a report of Education Minister Igor Karpenko on 24 August.

“It is important to keep learning in all times. It will be very bad if we do not get off to a good start. You remember that the closing of the previous academic year was fraught with the coronavirus anxieties in the society, in particular among parents. Those concerns were excessive, as we know see,” the President noted.

“We need to kick-start the academic year whatever the cost,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.

Aleksandr Lukashenko noted that the main reason why he asked the officials to deliver their reports [Vice Premier Igor Petrishenko was also present] was not to hear about achievements, but rather about bottlenecks that have to be addressed in the build-up to the new academic year.

“I earnestly ask you to make sure that there will not be any visible differences between children from wealthy families and children from less wealthy families. We need to help those who need it, in particular poor families and families with many children. Though I really do not know how else to help the latter, as we offer so many benefits for them like no other country in the world,” the President said.

He noted that companies also got involved in helping parents buy school supplies and uniforms. “From agricultural enterprises to industrial giants – everyone helps. Some purchase school supplies for children, others buy uniforms or give some money. Help comes in various forms, however what matters most is that everyone pitched in despite the fact that several thousand people are rambling through the streets and trying to turn the situation in their favor,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said.

According to Igor Karpenko, as of 21 February, 96% of schools were ready for the new academic year. The process is coming to a close. There are no major issues with preparedness of schools. The government allocated funds for that; local authorities also got involved. We are set to open three new schools this year,” the minister informed.