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- Civil Society and Education
– The Belarusian school in Warsaw announces enrollment for the new academic year. The opportunity to conduct Saturday offline classes is now available not only in the capital of Poland, but also in Bialystok, Gdansk, Krakow, Poznan and other cities. Training is free. In order to enroll children in classes – fill out the form. Applications are accepted until August 15, 2023.
– Public activist Alina Nahornaya presented the results of a study on the accessibility and discrimination of the Belarusian language in Belarus. The survey involved 482 people aged 15 to 72 who speak Belarusian in Belarus. The results of the survey, statistics and a number of personal stories can be read here.
– The «Bank of Ideas» published an analysis of the results of the PISA 2018 (Programme for International Student Assessment) test and recommendations prepared by Ihar Varaksa, ex–director of the Belarusian State University Lyceum, consultant of Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya Office on school education. The PISA test is aimed at assessing the functional literacy of schoolchildren around the world and the ability to apply knowledge in practice. Ihar Varaksa analyzed the test results in three main areas: the place of the Belarusian education system in the world, its competitive advantages and disadvantages. The full text of the analysis can be read here. And the project «Octopus» collected the main theses in the cards.
– Mahiliou School No. 1 has opened admission to the first grade with the Belarusian language of instruction. Also, in school No. 1, classes III, V and VII with the Belarusian language of instruction will continue to work next academic year. And at school number 34 – II, IV, VI and VIII classes. For questions about enrolling children in these classes, you can contact educational institutions directly. All contacts are posted here.
– The Belarusian National Youth Council «RADA» announced the launch of the program «How to develop high–quality non–formal education and be effective trainers.» The program offers a hybrid participation format with three offline meetings in Vilnius and online work in between. The organizers invite all professionals involved in non–formal education and teaching other people to participate. Full description, schedule and application form can be found here. Applications are accepted until July 2 inclusive.
- Repressions
– After the spring wave of repressions, layoffs continue at Polatsk State University. Rector Jury Ramanouski signed orders for the dismissal of at least 7 more employees, including the secretary of the dean's office, teachers and specialists from various departments. Earlier, the media reported on the dismissal of associate professors from PSU, who had previously been detained for «sharing extremist information» and «donations».
– Polatsk State University teacher Hanna Nanos was fined for sharing “extremist” materials on social networks. On May 30, the court found her guilty and imposed a fine of 30 basic units (1,110 rubles). The report on the teacher was drawn up by the staff of Polatsk District Department of Internal Affairs. As human rights activists note, in 2020, Hanna Nanos' photo appeared on PSU Honor Board in the «Pride of the University» section.
– On June 19, it стало известно became known about the dismissal of ten teachers from the Lyceum of the Belarusian State University. According to media reports, the teachers' contracts were not renewed. Immediately before this, a KGB officer conducted individual conversations with the employees of the lyceum. Among the dismissed mentors are teachers of geography, history, the Belarusian language and literature, as well as an art director. It should be noted that in March 2023, information appeared about the compilation of three lists of disloyal teachers at the lyceum and about the intention to fire them at the end of their contracts.
– Former teacher and associate professor of Minsk State Linguistic University, Natallia Dulina, was transferred to Homel colony No. 4. According to MSLU for Freedom channel, this happened on June 20. Dulina was arrested in the autumn of 2022. She was charged with «facilitating extremist activities» and «gross violation of public order», and was sentenced to 3.5 years in prison.
- Regime politics
– Deputy Minister of Education Aliaksandar Bakhanovich noted that after the law on licensing came into force, five private Belarusian schools received permission for educational activities. Three of them are located in Minsk, two more – in Minsk region. In total, this is about one thousand students. According to the official, it was not the closure of other private schools that should have caused parents' concern, but the numerous «diverse violations» found in these institutions.
– In Belarus, the enrollment of targeted students in medical universities has been extended, especially in the field of dentistry, where they were given 80% of state–funded places. This decision was made in order to reduce the shortage of doctors in the country. Deputy Prime Minister Ihar Petryshenka said that a further increase in this percentage is planned. In addition, the conditions for redistribution were complicated so that the targets could not evade compulsory distribution of graduates. Earlier, Minister of Health Dzmitry Pinevich spoke about the possibility of training only targeted students at the expense of the budget and the intention to expand the target enrollment to 100%.
– During one of the talk shows on the STV channel, adherents of Lukashenka ideology discussed problems in education, including the issue of introducing state ideology in the sphere of historical memory in universities. In their opinion, the only way to combat dissent is harsh repression. The chairman of the so–called «youth parliament» Nikita Rachylousky spoke about the need to «shake up» all the rectors of universities, as well as the teaching staff, especially on history faculties. Statements that do not correspond to the official ideology are proposed to be considered as treason, and their authors – to be sent to prison. In turn, Pavel Latkovich, also a member of the «youth parliament», expressed the idea of the possibility of using death penalty for «distortion of facts.»
– Lukashenka's administration proposed holding parent–teacher meetings not only in schools, but also in colleges, universities and the army. Ihar Lutsky, Deputy Head of Administration, emphasized the need for systematic educational work with parents at all levels of education. In addition to this, Lutsky proposed to establish the Belarusian Republican Youth Union and the Belarusian Republican Pioneer Organization as the main channels of the educational process within the framework of extracurricular activities of schoolchildren and students.
– On June 14, a sports competition for schoolchildren took place in Homel, in which a team from the self–proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) took part. The event was attended by 40 athletes from the occupied region, who competed in various disciplines. At the moment, it is not known what status the team from the DPR had at this Belarusian event.
– On June 4, a concert titled “We Don’t Leave Our People” took place at St. Elisabeth Monastery in Minsk in support of the Russian invasion of Ukraine. The program of the event was devoted to the military theme, and portraits of the leaders of the self–proclaimed Donetsk People's Republic (DPR) and military commanders were used in the design of the stage. As part of the concert, students of the «Ikhvis» school also performed a military song.
– Some Minsk schools are introducing a uniform dress code for teachers. In parallel, an information campaign is being carried out in support of the second compulsory element in school clothes. Chairman of the Education Committee of Minsk City Executive Committee Andrei Stryhelsky noted that teachers have long been required to adhere to an official business style. According to him, some schools have come to gradually introduce a uniform style of clothing for teachers.
– The development of military–patriotic camps in Belarus continues. This summer, many students in grades 10–11 are participating in field training. These activities are considered part of the pre–conscription training course and include training in orientation on the ground, handling weapons, as well as visits to military units, meetings with security officials and military personnel. What the development of youth military–patriotic camps can lead to, what is wrong with them, what parents think about it – you can read about it here.
– On June 17, Deputy Minister of Internal Affairs Nikalai Karpenkou presented recommendations to graduates of the military–patriotic clubs of Minsk garrison. According to him, they will serve as the basis for obtaining benefits for admission to higher departmental educational institutions, including the Military Academy and the Academy of the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
– The Belarusian government will conduct additional monitoring of the education system after the incident with the calculation of the results of the centralized exam in order to prevent possible situations that could cause a «social wave». Monitoring will include the identification of systemic and individual shortcomings in the educational system, with the participation of teachers, specialists and representatives of public associations. The monitoring results will be presented to the board of the Ministry of Education in August.
