Leonid Anfimov: 17% of Belarus's budget is invested in children's education
Leonid Anfimov admitted that he felt no less excited than the schoolchildren, their parents, and teachers. "In spirit, a rural school is closer to me. And participating in the events that take place here is important to me. It evokes touching feelings. Knowledge Day is a national holiday to which every Belarusian is somehow involved," noted the head of the control department. "Moreover, I am once again convinced that the state invests a lot of money not in vain, but so that children emerge from educational institutions as patriots, worthy citizens of their country. And we, as state officials, are not indifferent to who will be the next generation in the future. 17% of the consolidated state budget goes to education expenditures. Just think about it – this is the largest figure in the expenditure part of the state budget. In fact, children are the wealthiest people in the country. In monetary terms, this is approximately Br6 billion, almost half of which goes to general secondary education. But behind these figures is our future."
This year, the institution in Dunilovichi warmly welcomes 108 students, including 11 first-graders and 15 kindergarten pupils. Interestingly, all of them, like previous generations of Dunilovichi schoolchildren, are taught in Belarusian. And they show excellent results (thereby proving the talent of the teachers as well) at district, regional, and republican subject Olympiads.
For example, eleventh-grader Dmitry Sobol presented his research paper on geography at a district competition last year, although he generally highlights mathematics and physics among all subjects. After the 9th grade, the guy transferred to the Dunilovichi school and travels 24 km from his native village of Yunki. "It's just that here they teach driving from the tenth grade - this is a unique opportunity to prepare for three categories at once while still in school. And I was lucky with the class - I quickly made friends. That's why I'm glad to see them again. And the teachers are excellent: each one tries to present the subject in their own way to make it interesting," Dima listed the advantages of his school.
Moreover, thanks to the efforts of adults, children's creative, personal, technical, and sports talents are revealed here. Teachers, as Leonid Anfimov rightly noted, can be compared to sculptors of children's souls. But parents and the entire society are responsible for whether each little gem will be given a worthy cut.
The little ones do not yet know what serious decisions they will have to make as they grow up. Now they are simply happy to see each other, and not all of them are eager to sit at their desks. "I don't want to study at all," blurted out the newly minted second-grader Danila. "Although I love physical education." "Me too," the boys in the same row pick up. "And I like writing," "And I like mathematics," "And I like lunches," you can hear from different sides.
For comprehensive development, the school has specialized classrooms, training workshops, and a school-based educational and experimental plot, a sports hall, a stadium, and a fitness complex. Having become acquainted with the school's facilities and teachers, Leonid Anfimov said: "So much effort and resources have been invested in organizing the educational process that you just have to study," he concluded. And so that children do not spend all their time on computers, the Control and Accounting Committee presented the institution with several chess sets.
Based on the results of 2014, the school became the winner of the district competition among general secondary education institutions. Over the past five years, half of the graduates have entered higher education institutions, 24% have entered secondary specialized institutions, and 25% have entered vocational-technical institutions.
"This is a special day, primarily for the first-graders. You are entering the world of knowledge, which will make you wiser and stronger. May this path be fascinating," - wished the students the school principal, Honored Teacher of Belarus, "Person of the Year of Postavy District" Vasily Bulbenov.
Snow-white bows and blouses, bow ties, huge bouquets for teachers - the first-graders recite poems and mesmerized watch as their peer Polina Tayanovich, paired with future graduate Dima Sobol, rings the first bell for everyone. And then they follow their first teacher in life into the classrooms - for the lesson "Take your honorable place among the nations, Belarus, my young one".