Lukashenko’s decree improves mechanism for supporting gifted and talented youth

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has signed Decree No. 429 On the Activities of Special Funds of the President of the Republic of Belarus – as BelTA learned from the Belarusian leader’s press service

The document is aimed at providing targeted state support to the best of the best representatives of gifted and talented youth, creating favourable conditions for further development of their scientific and creative potential while stimulating youth initiatives for the benefit of the country.

The decree envisages the improvement of the mechanism for supporting talented and gifted youth with special funds of the President and the consolidation of the highest status of holders of awards from the Head of State. Excessive detailing and duplication of certain norms are eliminated, nine normative legal acts regulating the activities of funds are recognised as invalid, fixed financial expenditures of the budget for these purposes are established, the procedure for the formation and maintenance of data banks of gifted and talented youth is specified.

Annually, about 500 people are planned to be encouraged by the awards of the Fund for the Support of Gifted Youth, and about 150 people from the Fund for the Support of Talented Youth.

Types of incentives for funds have been unified. Such incentives have been established as the Grand Prize, a special award, rewards For Contribution into Preparation of Gifted Youth and For Contribution into Preparation of Talented Youth, as well as financial support – a grant. Prizes, incentive scholarships, and financial assistance were excluded.

Payments for outstanding achievements to pupils, students, creative teams that take first, second or third places in competitions have been significantly increased, enabling to spend the funds received for the creation of works of art and conduct of research, purchase of materials, costumes, and tools. Incentives range from 40 to 150 base units. For teachers who have educated and trained gifted and talented youth, rewards from 40 to 60 basic units are envisaged.

Personal responsibility of local managers is being strengthened for the quality and reliability of materials submitted to the funds’ councils regarding applicants. Data regarding nominees for the funds’ incentives will be subject to an in-depth review. The order of deprivation of incentives and restoration in the rights of the person rewarded by funds is provided.