MINISTRY OF EDUCATION OF THE REPUBLIC OF BELARUS

April 3, 2024. In Vitebsk, on the basis of the regional Institute for Educational Development, with the participation of Deputy Minister of Education Alexander Kadlubai, two significant events took place - an interdepartmental seminar on military-patriotic education and a dialogue platform with history teachers to discuss the textbook for the 10th grade “The History of Belarus in the context of the world history".

Note: the seminar in Vitebsk continues a series of thematic events that are held in every region of the country. Its importance in modern realities is quite relevant. “This is a generalization of experience, a kind of synchronization of everything with the time pace to know whether we are on our way to success in this work, because, despite the specific targets set by the Ministry of Education, civil society and public associations, it is necessary to make a general outline of activities,” said Deputy Minister of Education Alexander Kadlubay.

Patriotic education of the younger generation is one of the priorities in the implementation of the youth policy of the Republic of Belarus. Teaching efforts are aimed at instilling in young citizens a love for their Fatherland, developing in students a positive attitude towards military service and readiness at any moment to come to the defense of the territorial integrity, independence and sovereignty of the country.

The Deputy Minister of Education gave a positive assessment to the system of military-patriotic education that has been built in the Vitebsk oblast. The leaders of military-patriotic education closely cooperate with internal affairs bodies, military units, military registration and enlistment offices, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, the RPO "Patriots of Belarus", DOSAAF, and youth organizations to find the potential of the younger generation.

The correct attitude of students to historical events and issues of military-patriotic education are addressed by more than 100 military-patriotic classes and groups, about 50 military-patriotic clubs (1,630 students). Museum education gains the strictest attention as well. Museum exhibitions take place to promote such education.

The task is to involve young people as much as possible in the process of military-patriotic education. “It is military-patriotic education in the context of the patriotic field that is very important. Our youth must be able to hold a weapon in their hands, understand what the Motherland is and be ready to defend it. Children must understand the essence of historical processes and historical memory. All this is the basis of military-patriotic education,” Alexander Kadlubay is convinced.

The head of the main education department of the Vitebsk Regional Executive Committee, Dmitry Khoma, introduced in detail the system of patriotic education of the younger generation in educational institutions of the oblast.

The meeting participants were informed that on the eve of the celebration of the 80th anniversary of the liberation of Belarus from the Nazi invaders, institutions of learning were hosting events dedicated to this significant date. Priority attention is paid to sovereignty, independence, honor, heroism, and unity.

The potential of 132 museums of institutions of learning, 95 museum rooms, 60 museum corners and exhibitions, 217 stands on the topic of genocide during the war years reveal the theme of the feat of the Belarusian people, form pride in their country and its heroes.

Every year, school students improve about 1,000 war monuments. Close cooperation with search teams allows us to establish the names of the dead soldiers of the Soviet Army and possible places of their burials.

Regional initiatives and projects also contribute to the formation of patriotism, such as: the historical and educational project “Polotsk Frontier”, the regional patriotic action “On the Roads of Victory”, the regional children’s creativity competition “Privet soldaty!” (Hello to the soldier).

On the basis of the Vitebsk Regional Institute for Educational Development, a regional resource center for military-patriotic education has been created, which accumulates best practices, presents effective experience, and promotes the ideas of patriotic education of youth.

The speeches of other participants in the seminar were also informative, expressing their vision of the issues of organizing interdepartmental interaction, sharing their experience, best methods and practices in civic and patriotic education of youth.

Also on this day, a dialogue platform was held with history teachers to discuss the textbook for the 10th grade “The history of Belarus in the context of world history”. The parties discussed problematic issues and ways to solve them.