Ushachi School Entered the 'Top 100 Best Schools in Belarus'

In the Ministry of Education ranking based on the results of centralized testing, the school took 64th place, managing to surpass even some of the capital's gymnasiums and lyceums.

Ushachi Secondary School has a glorious history and can be proud of its graduates from different years. For example, Ryhor Baradulin, Yevdokiya Los, Gennady Garbuk once studied here – people who are the national pride of Belarus. The traditions of the educators are successfully continued and multiplied. Many heads of organizations, as well as some representatives of local authorities, including the Chairperson of the District Council of Deputies Olga Zakharenko, are also graduates of the school. It is obvious that the current victory is a clear testament not to some isolated surge of intellect and knowledge of individual students, but to the result of the systematic creative and intensive work of the entire team.

– All 52 graduates of the school in the 2014-2015 academic year passed the centralized testing with excellent results: there is not a single student who did not score the required number of points in various subjects for further study, – noted the school principal Vitaly Klimashevsky. – For example, out of 27 graduates from the 11th "B" class, 25 applied to universities, and 23 of them became students of academies – the Ministry of Internal Affairs and Military Academy, BNTU, BSU, the medical university, and other prestigious educational institutions – the range of their chosen future specialties is wide. Physics teachers Viktor Gertsik, mathematics – Lyudmila Khudoleyeva, Russian language and literature – Lyudmila Trofimova, Belarusian – Vera Spirchonok and Irina Lesnichenko, chemistry – Elena Morozova, biology – Olga Zhitkaya, history – Tatyana Pugacheva, and others can rightfully be proud. Their students demonstrated deep knowledge.

Vitaliy Klimashevsky noted that work with children begins even before the first grades, starting from kindergarten, where preschoolers attend the early development school established here. Classes in writing, reading, mathematics, and foreign languages for young children are conducted in a way that maximizes their preparation for future successful studies. To maintain continuity in foreign language learning, for example, additional classes are organized for first and second graders. Subsequently, throughout their time at school, students can participate in various electives for in-depth study of physics, mathematics, languages, biology, history, etc., which are created based on their interests. Additionally, there are classes for special preparation for centralized testing. This work is carried out not only with students of their own school but also with students from other educational institutions in the region through inter-school electives. Specialized classes have been organized, and close cooperation has been established with P. Masherov University and other higher education institutions.

Constant efforts are made here to improve the conditions for acquiring additional knowledge and developing students' creative abilities. Two resource centers utilizing information technologies are in operation. Physics, computer science, foreign language classrooms, and others are equipped in accordance with modern requirements. Incidentally, they are also open in the evenings.

“We are very grateful to the district executive committee and the head of the district, Viktor Rodich, for their attention to the school's needs and assistance in strengthening its material and technical base,” emphasized Vitaliy Klimashevsky. “Last academic year, 100 million rubles were allocated from the district budget for the purchase of computers for teachers, who now actively use information technologies in classes and in their preparation. Recently, a beautiful and cozy park appeared near the school on a former vacant lot – the idea was proposed by the chairman of the district executive committee, and it was brought to life by teachers, technical staff, and employees of the district executive committee.”

The small architectural forms were created by the labor teacher Oleg Lemesh. It is no coincidence that the school has now become the winner of the district competition for landscaping and preparation for the academic year.

To address various issues, they rely not only on budget assistance but also on their own resources: funds are generated from paid electives, computer literacy courses for seniors, fitness classes, etc. The school in Ushachi has long become a successful educational center for both children and adults.

Elena Telyatko. Photos by Anton Stepanishchev. "Vitebskiye Vesti".