A. Lukashenko is on a working trip to the Vitebsk region

July 10, Minsk /Tatyana Polozhay - BelTA/. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko is on a working trip to the Vitebsk region. The head of state will visit the Luzhesny boarding school-gymnasium for gifted and talented children of the Vitebsk region. In the evening, the head of state, as in previous years, will take part in the opening ceremony of the XVIII International Festival "Slavianski Bazaar in Vitebsk," the press service of the Belarusian leader informed BelTA. The Luzhesny boarding school-gymnasium for gifted and talented children is included in the presidential program "Children of Belarus" for 2006-2010. As part of its implementation, a cultural and recreational center has been built at the educational institution, which includes an assembly hall with 300 seats, a sports hall, two gyms, and a swimming pool. The educational institution provides an opportunity for children living in rural areas to receive a quality education and upbringing. 40% of the children studying here are from low-income families, and 24% are orphans. The boarding school-gymnasium is a multidisciplinary educational institution. Currently, 275 students are studying here. Admission to the educational institution is carried out through a system of entrance examinations. Over the 15 years of the institution's existence, 1047 winners of district, 340 regional, 195 republican, and 13 international subject Olympiads have been trained. In addition, 156 gymnasium students, winners of the final stage of the republican subject Olympiad, were awarded prizes from the special fund of the President of Belarus for the social support of gifted students. The gymnasium staff closely cooperates with many higher education institutions of the republic. Thus, out of 798 gymnasium graduates, 787 entered universities, and 11 entered secondary vocational schools. All teachers of the educational institution have higher pedagogical education; one has been awarded the title "Honored Teacher of the Republic of Belarus," and 12 have the title "Excellence in Education of the Republic of Belarus." -0-