A. Lukashenko: the main task in Belarus will always be the care for every person, whether an adult or a child

September 1, Minsk / Tatyana Polozhay - BELTA /. The main task in Belarus's policy has always been, is, and will be the care for every person, whether an adult or a child. This was stated today by the President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko, opening a new school in the village of Borovlyany, Minsk region, according to a BELTA correspondent. "Whatever difficulties we may experience, the main topic on the agenda in Belarus's policy has always been, is, and will be the care for people, small, big, children, adults, this is our policy," the President said. "There are many different criteria for determining the level of development and well-being of states in the world. But true happiness, you must agree, depends on simple and truly eternal values - health, a beloved family, a cozy home, the opportunity to get a good education and have a decent job. And for me as President, the state of these indicators is important, and not some other numbers," the head of state emphasized. Alexander Lukashenko noted a positive trend of increasing the number of families and birth rate, which in turn обуславливает the development of the economy, housing construction, and the creation of new jobs. "In other words, Belarus is growing, getting younger, and confidently looking into the future," he said. "I am sure that if states were evaluated by this criterion, our country could claim the highest rating in the world," the head of state believes. According to him, it has become a good tradition to open new schools on September 1. This year's Knowledge Day became the birthday for four new schools at once. In the opinion of the President, the school in Borovlyany has the most interesting story. In late 2007, mothers and pupils of the Borovlyany Children's Village shared their dream of a new school with the head of state. Children from this and surrounding settlements had to squeeze into educational institutions in the neighboring village of Lesnoy. "I have kept my promise, now it's up to you," said Alexander Lukashenko. "The main thing is that the school becomes a center for training smart, beautiful, talented, and strong children, devoted to our country. We really need this. We will move forward along this path." This year will be doubly memorable for some children, as they not only received a new school as a gift but also finally found a family and their own home in the "Istoki" children's village, the President said. "There are no strangers' children for us. The state is responsible for their fate, and we must together do everything necessary to ensure that every child of ours finds their family," the head of state emphasized. Addressing the children, Alexander Lukashenko urged them to take care of their new school home, and for teachers, with the help of their skills, passion for their subject, and love for children, to find a way to the heart of each child, to awaken in students a thirst for knowledge. As early as 2007, during a visit to the "SOS Children's Village" in Borovlyany, President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko announced that a program had been launched in the country to resettle orphaned children from boarding schools into families, homes, and children's villages, based on a family approach to child care. If in 2007 there were 71 orphan institutions in the education system in Belarus, now there are 57 left - 20% less. The number of children housed in them has decreased by 25% in two years. According to experts from the Ministry of Education, this is a very good indicator. -0-