In the Vitebsk region, Br66 billion has been allocated for the preparation of educational facilities for the new academic year.

In the region, there are 660 preschool institutions, new kindergartens are being opened, and proposals are being received for their construction in rural areas, which may indicate an improvement in the demographic situation. In the upcoming academic year, 584 schools in the region are ready to receive students, including the new secondary school No. 46 for 930 places in Vitebsk, where the school bell will ring for the first time. In total, more than 114.2 thousand children and adolescents will start the academic year in the region, including more than 10.2 thousand first-graders. August 20, Vitebsk /Sergey Kochetov - BELTA/. About Br66 billion has been allocated for the repair and preparation of educational institutions in the Vitebsk region for the new academic year. This was announced today to journalists by the head of the education department of the regional executive committee, Ivan Shchurok, reports a BELTA correspondent. The regional pedagogical conference "Development of the regional education system as a condition for the sustainable development of the region's economy and social sphere" is being held in Vitebsk. The acceptance of schools for the start of classes in the region is practically completed, and by today, the remarks of the acceptance commissions should be eliminated. At the same time, repair work is still ongoing, mainly at educational facilities in agro-towns. "About Br23 billion has been allocated for capital repairs of facilities in agro-towns, and we plan to commission a number of facilities in September-October," said Ivan Shchurok. Significant work is being carried out, in particular, on the maintenance of boiler houses. In total, there are 360 boiler houses in the education system in the region, which operate on local fuels by 99%. This year, three new boiler houses, built with funds from international organizations, will be commissioned. The restructuring of the education system continues in the region. This year, 16 schools have been closed, and another 22 educational institutions have been reorganized (mainly concerning the creation of a "school-kindergarten" complex on their basis). "We are trying to preserve the educational and material base, because, as practice shows, today, for example, kindergartens that we previously mothballed are in high demand, and in a number of districts, such preschool education facilities have been un-mothballed and are already preparing to receive pupils," noted Ivan Shchurok. In the region, there are 660 preschool institutions, new kindergartens are being opened, and proposals are being received for their construction in rural areas, which may indicate an improvement in the demographic situation. In the upcoming academic year, 584 schools in the region are ready to receive students, including the new secondary school No. 46 for 930 places in Vitebsk, where the school bell will ring for the first time. In total, more than 114.2 thousand children and adolescents will start the academic year in the region, including more than 10.2 thousand first-graders. Compared to 2009, the number of students will decrease by approximately 4 thousand. All issues with teaching staff have been resolved, and 464 young specialists will start their first jobs. -0-