Lukashenko signed updated Education Code

The President of Belarus, Aleksandr Lukashenko, has signed a law to approve a new version of the Education Code – as reported by the Belarusian leader’s press service

The law outlines the foundations of state policy in the field of education, while establishing provisions aimed at enhancement of the efficiency, quality and accessibility of education, taking into account the trends of modern educational space development and the practice of applying the current Code. 

In particular, the new version of the document envisages universal general secondary education (currently, general basic education) and final certification upon completion of general secondary education in certain academic subjects – in the form of a centralised exam. The procedure of the latter will be approved by the Education Ministry.

In addition, the sphere of targeted training is expanding for organisations located not only in small settlements and polluted territories, but also other areas. It is envisaged that colleges will function at the level of vocational and secondary specialised education, while universities, academies and institutes will be responsible for higher education.

The Code establishes distance learning as an independent form of education. It is now also possible to master educational programmes through a network form of interaction between educational institutions.

Special higher education is introduced for certain technical and medical specialties, and a new type of additional education is launched for gifted children and young people on the basis of the National Children's Technopark.

The law also envisages other norms, including those providing for clarification and redistribution of powers of the state education management bodies.