BOBRUISK, 1 September (BelTA) - We need a prudent approach to spending funds allocated for the social sector and give priority to improving the wellbeing of people working in the education and healthcare sectors, Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko said as he arrived in Bobruisk to attend a school inauguration ceremony on Knowledge Day, 1 September, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko asked whether all the schools were operating at full capacity. “Make sure that our schools accommodate as many students as possible,” stressed the head of state.
The president noted that salaries should be raised and added that there are other areas where it is necessary to invest. This may not be very typical of Bobruisk, but it is relevant, for example, for Minsk and a number of other cities.
“We need to think twice before we build something new. If we need some facilities, we should build them. However, if we have enough places (we have good transport communication, bus services), we have to do with the ones we have. This also applies to the healthcare sector. Social spending needs to be aimed primarily at the salaries of teachers and doctors. It is important,” the Belarusian leader said.
Aleksandr Lukashenko continued this topic at a ceremony to inaugurate secondary school No.35 in Bobruisk and mark Knowledge Day in Belarus. “We have built as many educational facilities as we need. The main thing now is to ensure they operate at full capacity. If there are some schools, where children still study in two shifts, we will definitely solve the problem within this five-year period,” said the head of state.
The president also mentioned his instructions to the government and the education minister to channel the available funds into the development of education and healthcare and increasing salaries in these sectors.
