The first bell on September 1st will ring for over 11,000 first-graders in the Vitebsk region

More than 11 thousand first-graders will start school in the 2016/2017 academic year in the Vitebsk region, as reported by the education department of the regional executive committee.

Solemn school assemblies will be held on September 1 in all educational institutions of the region. "In the new academic year, we will have more first-graders: their number has increased from 10.5 thousand in the past academic year to over 11 thousand in the upcoming one. Class sizes will be highest in cities," the department noted.

Traditionally, the holiday of the first bell will be followed by thematic lessons on fostering citizenship and patriotism, and cultivating pride in the country among the younger generation. Accordingly, it is in the cities that Knowledge Day will be celebrated not only directly in educational institutions but also with concert and entertainment programs on large venues for mass events. For example, in Vitebsk on September 1, younger schoolchildren, and then older children, will be treated to traditional concerts at the Summer Amphitheater. In Novopolotsk, a mass sports and entertainment event is being prepared in the city park of culture and recreation. Competitions and games will be held at the new street workout site, and a concert will take place on the dance floor. Everyone will also be able to participate in the drawing contest "School of the Future."

In the new academic year, 423 general secondary education institutions (primary, basic, secondary schools, gymnasiums, lyceums, cadet schools) will operate in the Vitebsk region. This is 27 fewer than a year ago. The region's teaching staff will be updated. Educational institutions for preschool, basic and secondary education, as well as vocational and secondary specialized education, which are under the jurisdiction of the regional department, expect about 470 young specialists to join their staff. "This is less than last year, as the situation has stabilized over the past couple of years. This time, the greatest need was for teachers of foreign languages, physical education, and preschool education specialists. Moreover, university graduates from all over Belarus will join the teaching ranks: Vitebsk State University named after P. Masherov, Polotsk State University.

госуниверситета, трех столичных вузов, Могилевского госуниверситета им. А. Кулешова и Барановичского госуниверситета\", - отметили в управлении образования.

Екатерина Князева - БЕЛТА.

``` ```html university, three metropolitan universities, A. Kuleshov Mogilev State University and Baranovichi State University," the education department noted.

Ekaterina Knyazeva - BELTA.