MINSK, 27 August (BelTA) – The authorities intend to set things right in universities in the most uncompromising manner. Belarus President Aleksandr Lukashenko made the relevant statement during the Nationwide Conference on Teaching on 27 August, BelTA has learned.
Aleksandr Lukashenko said: “The minister has informed me about results of the probe I’d authorized into the work of higher education institutions and rectors. But I have to tell you that it is only the beginning and nobody will be able to sit it out. We intend to whip universities into shape in the most uncompromising manner. Yes, we will support our professors, the management of universities both financially and materially. But they will be held to higher standards as well. It is one of the reasons why I intend to visit a number of regional and metropolitan educational institutions. I ask you to seriously approach the matter.”
As the president met with rectors of Belarusian higher education institutions in February, he talked about the need to revise the list of specializations in order to meet needs of the economy. He also mentioned the need to update the curricula and enhance the practical component of education. “I don’t understand why certified graduates need more learning. Who is to blame for it? Does the university fail to give the proper knowledge? Or should we blame the employer, who is unwilling to help [the graduate] adapt to the first job? What is the problem?” the head of state wondered.
Such practices represent a luxury Belarus cannot afford in modern conditions when enterprises need well-trained workforce, Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed. “On the other hand, heads of education institutions, in particular, rectors need to be more mobile. They need to understand what faculties, specializations, and forms of education they need to introduce and which ones should be scrapped,” the Belarusian leader pointed out.
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