13 January, Vitebsk /Olga Bogacheva - BELTA/. Officials of the Vitebsk region need to pay more attention to the protection of the rights and legitimate interests of children with psychophysical development disabilities. This opinion was expressed to a BELTA correspondent by Irina Yanukovich, Senior Assistant Prosecutor of the Vitebsk Region for Supervision of the Enforcement of Legislation on Minors and Youth. The results of inspections by prosecutors of the enforcement of legislation aimed at protecting the rights of children with psychophysical development disabilities indicate the established system of special education and work with this category of minors in the region. However, in certain cities and districts of the region, violations of legislative requirements are allowed. For example, in Dubrovensky, Lepelsky, Miorsky, Senno, and Tolochinsky districts, Correction and Development Education and Rehabilitation Centres operate without the creation of proper conditions. In Orsha district, the educational institution is located in the village of Vysokoye at a significant distance from the district centre, which makes visits for children with disabilities difficult. Facts of prolonged failure by the centres to provide comprehensive assistance to children with severe or multiple disabilities under the age of three have also been identified. Significant violations of legislation were identified in the Богушевская (Boguševskaya) general education sanatorium boarding school. In particular, students should be enrolled in the boarding school based on an application from parents or other legal representatives. However, cases of minors being enrolled based on applications from close relatives – grandfathers, aunts, uncles – were allowed. The work of the social-pedagogical and psychological service of this institution also requires increased efficiency. The materials on the identified violations were sent to the Education Department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee. As a result of its review, nine officials were disciplined. -0-

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