The preparation of educational institutions in the Vitebsk region for the new academic year was discussed at a regular meeting of the regional executive committee.

The head of the region, Alexander Subbotin, noted that the primary task is to ensure safe, comfortable, and health-preserving conditions for children's education.

Dmitry Khoma, Head of the Main Department for Education of the Regional Executive Committee, reported that approximately 116,300 students will be attending classes on September 1. Dmitry Leonidovich explained what is being done and will be done to ensure that schoolchildren and students study in comfortable, modern conditions. He also drew attention to issues whose resolution depends on the attention paid to education system matters by district heads.

Out of 1084 educational institution buildings, 739 (68 percent) are over 40 years old. In this regard, the need for major repairs and modernisation, and sometimes complete reconstruction, arises more frequently.

– During the renovation of the sports hall at Secondary School No. 2 in the urban settlement of Shumilino (a building constructed in 1956), defects in the load-bearing structures incompatible with further use of the premises were discovered. As a result, the sports hall had to be demolished and a new one built, – Dmitry Khoma gave an example.

At the same time, major repairs of individual building elements affecting the overall technical condition are required in only 11 buildings, the head of the sector emphasised. This is a result of the significant work carried out by the Regional Executive Committee and Council of Deputies, and district and city executive committees during 2017–2021 to strengthen the material and technical base and carry out repair work. Approximately 180 million roubles were allocated for these purposes.

As part of the modernisation of the education system of the Republic of Belarus, major repairs were carried out in 35 institutions to the tune of over 50 million roubles. The focus at that time was on replacing engineering systems, major repairs of roofs and catering facilities, strengthening structures, and installing sports grounds.

All work on preparing educational institutions must be completed by August 15.

Source: vitebsk-region.gov.by