Minister of Education Andrei Ivanets talked to students of the Minsk State Polytechnic College as part of the "Not boring not lecture" project, which itself is part of the republican social and cultural campaign "Marathon of Unity".

The conversation was held in an interactive format about the choices that everyone has to make in life daily. For example, the children asked the head of the educational department how he chose his future profession.

- To decide what you want to do you need to try something first. So, in the 5th grade, I signed up for a weightlifting section. But in the 6th, I wondered if I had made the right choice and went to 10 different sections, but then returned to weightlifting. I also thought about the subject that would determine my future professional career. When we began to study chemistry in the 8th grade, I realized that it was mine. It was this subject that formed the basis of my scientific path, - said A. Ivanets.

Many questions were asked at the meeting, including what challenges our country faces today, what opinions of young people should be listened to, and how to solve the problem of the shortage of subject teachers.

- In the late 1980s, there were 1.5 million schoolchildren in the BSSR and 118 thousand teachers. Today, we have 103 thousand teachers and just over 1 million schoolchildren. If we recalculate the number of students per teacher, then the situation in modern Belarus is much better than in the Soviet years. Thus, in an urban school there are about 15 students per teacher, and in a rural school - 6-8. Yes, there is an issue with physics and mathematics teachers. After all, if a young person knows these subjects well, he decides how to earn his wage, either as an engineer at a plant or as a teacher. This choice is very difficult. In order for him to want to become a teacher, it is necessary not only to improve material conditions, but also to raise the prestige of the profession. And this is primarily the attitude of students and their parents to the teacher, - the Minister is convinced.

Another question asked by college students concerned the complexity of the curriculum. A. Ivanets answered:

- We analyzed the content of the curriculum starting from the 1950s. In the 1960s–80s, it was somewhat more complex in many subjects than today. School education is the foundation of all levels of education. It is at school that basic knowledge is given that helps to fully develop in the future as a comprehensively developed individual and professional.
By the way, each “Non boring not lecture” is different from the previous one, there are no templates, because the speakers adapt to the audience and its requests.

- Today's youth is open and in many ways similar to us, adults. Such meetings are held in order to answer pressing questions, listen to the opinions of children on the policy that the state adheres to today, and together outline ways to develop and improve the country, - A. Ivanets shared his impressions.

The guys shared their opinion after the meeting’s end.

- It was interesting, entertaining and very fun. The Minister of Education discussed topics that are important for society and for young people in particular. In general, the project is aimed primarily at making us think about the importance of our choice, - said Ekaterina Voshta, a 3rd year student of the Marketing Activity specialty.

The Director of the Minsk State Polytechnic College Alexander Shatko reminded that the institution trains not just workers, but mid-level managers. They must be able to understand the situation, correctly express their thoughts, present the material and be able to listen.

- Here are the guys who are already ready for management positions. Many graduates are assigned as foremen and will soon go to work at enterprises. It was useful for all of them to talk with the Minister of Education and his deputy Ekaterina Aleksandrovna Petrutskaya, - noted A. Shatko.

An interactive lecture with elements of psychological training encourages children to be confident in their choice and understand its consequences.

- Our task is to show that we are united: parents, children, teachers, students, working youth, that we have the same values. We value peace, work, those who are nearby today, and those who did something so that we have all this. At the "Not boring not lectures" we discuss this issue and come to the same conclusion: everyone should be grateful to their parents and their country for what they have today, but tomorrow they themselves must work for the good of their family and Motherland, — E. Petrutskaya summed up.