Lukashenko signed law on licensing, including of schools and kindergartens

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, signed the law On Licensing. The document preserves the basic approaches to licensing, enshrined in Presidential Decree No. 450 as of September 1st, 2010 (On Licensing of Certain Activities), and also ensures continuity of the basic principles of licensing – as reported by the Belarusian leader’s press service

The document systematically and comprehensively regulates the entire scope of licensing, including the licensed activities and licensing authorities, the requirements for license applicants and licensees, and the procedure for obtaining a license. Gross violations of licensing legislation – that may act as grounds for termination of the license – are specified.

The law also provides for licensing of activities in the field of railway transport in order to implement the obligations assumed by the country within the EAEU framework.

The transition to electronic licensing through creation of a Single Digital Register of Licenses is envisaged.

Introduction of licensing of preschool and school education is one of the important innovations. “Educational activity requires increased control by the state, as it is associated with the formation of a healthy, ideologically stable and versatile personality. Licensing of this activity will guarantee the legality and quality of the services provided, will make it possible to assess organisation of the educational process and prevent the emergence of business entities in the field of education that are pursuing purely commercial goals to the detriment of the state and the individual," the press service noted.

The rules on obtaining a license by state-run and private kindergartens and schools will come into force immediately after the law is officially published, and the remaining provisions – from January 1st, 2023. The terms of applying for a license will be determined by the Education Ministry in accordance with the approved schedule. The Minsk City Executive Committee, city (cities of regional subordination) and district executive committees will be responsible for license issuing.

The law is expected to reduce an administrative burden on business entities, to ensure the necessity to obtain a license only for carrying out economic activities potentially associated with threats of harm to state or public interests, rights and legitimate interests of citizens.