Issues of patriotic education and career guidance were discussed at the final meeting of the main department for education
Representatives from different regions of Vitebsk gathered at the Regional Institute for the Development of Education to analyze everything that has been done for the quality education and upbringing of the younger generation, discuss shortcomings, and define tasks for the near future.
Since great attention has been paid to preserving historical truth and patriotic education in recent years, Dmitry Khoma, head of the main department for education of the regional executive committee, began his speech with this. He noted that in the Vitebsk region, 130 educational institutions are already named after famous countrymen and heroes of the Great Patriotic War, with 55 of them receiving this right last year. Military-patriotic clubs, museum and excursion activities play an important role in fostering love for the Motherland and an active civic stance in the younger generation. Participation in significant projects of various scales also has an influence – from regional ones, like "Polotsk Frontier," to international ones, such as the "Train of Memory."
However, the education system of the Vitebsk region did not forget about other areas in 2022.
— Speaking about academic activities, we have something to be proud of here, — emphasized Dmitry Khoma. — The Vitebsk region won first place in the number of diplomas received at the republican subject Olympiad, we also took first place at the Olympiad for schoolchildren of the Union State, and we are currently among the top three in centralized testing. This indicates that the education system is capable of qualitatively preparing our students today.
One of the responsible tasks facing educators now, according to Dmitry Khoma, is to help each child choose a future profession. A lot is being done in the Vitebsk region for this. If about 60% of school graduates nationwide continue their education in universities, then in our region about 50% of children choose vocational-technical or secondary specialized education.
— The task of popularizing working professions is being solved, equipping our educational institutions with the latest technology so that students can master the most modern specialties, be in demand in the labor market, be able to find employment immediately after training and receive a decent salary, — emphasized the head of the main department for education.
His opinion on the significance of pedagogical activity was expressed by the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee Vyacheslav Durnov, who was present at the final collegium. He noted:
— The education system is a very important sphere of our life, the foundation on which our society stands and will stand. In the context of global changes, world turbulence, when a policy of distorting historical facts is being implemented, and an absolutely alien ideology is being imposed, we are making every effort to ensure that the younger generation preserves historical truth, the memory of the victims of Nazism, and the genocide of the Belarusian people.
Vyacheslav Durnov focused on the need to raise youth for whom the sovereignty of our country is a fundamental concept. And on this foundation, the formation of citizenship, patriotism, and national self-awareness will take place.
The Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee asked not to neglect safety issues, emphasizing the importance of every child being under the supervision of educators.
— Crimes related to the illicit trafficking of narcotic and psychotropic substances, child deaths from external causes and suicide, which is generally unacceptable, cause concern. Such facts nullify all the work carried out by prevention entities, — believes Vyacheslav Durnov.
Much was said during the collegium about career guidance, about the need to build mechanisms for interaction between employers and graduates of colleges and universities.
— The best youth should stay in our region, — said the Deputy Chairman of the Regional Executive Committee. — We would like graduates to return to us, to Vitebsk region, and work for the benefit of its economy, even after studying in the capital. The issues of retaining young specialists also remain important.
The solemn final chord was the awarding of prizes to the best educational institutions and teachers. In particular, for the first time based on the results of work for 2022, a regional competition was held for the best educational institution and structural unit of district executive committees, administrations of Vitebsk districts, exercising state-power functions in the field of education. The Vitebsk State Technical College was recognized as the best in the level of vocational-technical education, and the Vitebsk State Industrial College was recognized as the best in the level of secondary specialized education. Among the winners are also the education department of the Polotsk District Executive Committee, Vitebsk Gymnasium No. 2, Osintorf Secondary School of Dubrovno District, Kindergarten No. 1 in Senno, Dobromysl Kindergarten "Yalinka" of Liozno District.