Boarding schools-gymnasiums for gifted children must be created in each region - A. Lukashenko

July 10, Vitebsk / Tatyana Polezhay - BELTA /. Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko believes it is necessary to create boarding schools-gymnasiums for gifted children in each region. He expressed this opinion today while visiting the Luzhesnyanskaya boarding school-gymnasium for capable and talented children of the Vitebsk region, according to a BELTA correspondent. "If there is a need and experience, we must think about creating similar educational institutions throughout the republic," the head of state said. The Luzhesnyanskaya boarding school-gymnasium educates and brings up mainly children from rural areas. 40% of them are from low-income families, and 24% are orphans. This is a multidisciplinary educational institution that provides not only quality education but also opportunities for creative and physical development. Students are admitted through a system of entrance examinations. Currently, 275 students are studying here. Over the 15 years of the institution's existence, 1,047 winners of district, 340 regional, 195 republican, and 13 international subject Olympiads have been trained. In addition, 156 gymnasium students have been awarded prizes from the special fund of the President of Belarus for the social support of gifted students. The gymnasium closely cooperates with many higher education institutions of the republic. Of the 798 gymnasium graduates, 787 entered universities, and 11 entered secondary vocational schools. According to the President, the experience of educating talented children from rural areas, as is done in Luzhesno, should be extended to the entire republic. "If there is demand in each region, then talented children should be selected, such good 'islands of knowledge' should be created in each region, and children should be given appropriate education," the head of state said. He emphasized that it is necessary at the earliest stages of personality development to "identify and support talented children so that they are not lost in life." "This is the foundation of the state. Then there will be industry, agriculture, sports, and tourism when we support these children," Alexander Lukashenko said. Such educational institutions will be created on the basis of existing ones with the introduction of technologies and methods similar to those used in the Luzhesnyanskaya boarding school-gymnasium. Alexander Lukashenko inspected classrooms, living quarters, sports and fitness halls, a swimming pool, and a football field. The students gave the President a small improvised concert. Alexander Lukashenko planted a spruce tree in the gymnasium courtyard. The President had a warm conversation with the gymnasium students. The children asked the head of state if he dreamed of becoming President at their age, and what qualities are necessary to hold such a high state post. Alexander Lukashenko noted that it is necessary to be "a person of the land." "You need to feel people: both children and adults, milkmaids and workers, and most importantly, for the people to feel you. Then you will be President for 30 years and will not get bored," the head of state said. He also added that he does not advise young people to strive to become President. -0-