School No. 14 in the city of Molodechno was inaugurated by the Belarusian president in 2002. Several months before this joyous event, representatives of the parent community from the new residential district had approached the head of state, asking for his intervention in the fate of the long-delayed construction project. The construction picked up steam immediately and the housewarming was celebrated just a few months later. On that memorable day, the head of state not only congratulated the adults and children on the occasion but also left a commemorative entry in the guestbook: “I will be very happy if our school becomes a stronghold of statehood”. For over 20 years now, the school has lived by the president's wish, which became its motto. BelTA’s correspondents went to visit School No. 14 and learn why patriotism holds a special meaning for its students.
A symbiosis of aesthetics, science, and military discipline
Before speaking with the most capable students - authentic personalities and strategists confidently planning their future, we asked the school's director, Kalina Kaputskaya, to tell us more about the history of the school.
“We are the largest school in Molodechno District. It currently enrolls 1,600 students though the designed capacity was 720. These figures quite eloquently confirm the high demand for this educational institution in the neighborhood. They explain the concern of the parents who, in 2002, sought support at the highest level. The school was completed literally within four months. At its opening, the president called it a special school in his own life and in the life of those who had waited so long for it,” Kalina Kaputskaya noted.
A symbiosis of aesthetics, science, and military discipline
Before speaking with the most capable students - authentic personalities and strategists confidently planning their future, we asked the school's director, Kalina Kaputskaya, to tell us more about the history of the school.
“We are the largest school in Molodechno District. It currently enrolls 1,600 students though the designed capacity was 720. These figures quite eloquently confirm the high demand for this educational institution in the neighborhood. They explain the concern of the parents who, in 2002, sought support at the highest level. The school was completed literally within four months. At its opening, the president called it a special school in his own life and in the life of those who had waited so long for it,” Kalina Kaputskaya noted.
This moment is remembered by those who were present at the ceremony. It has been captured in numerous photographs that are kept in the archives of the school and parents. “In 2015, a sculpture was installed in the schoolyard, featuring a stone plaque with the words left by Aleksandr Lukashenko in the guestbook: 'I will be very happy if our school becomes a stronghold of statehood.' I want to emphasize that throughout all the years the school has strived to live by these words,” the director stressed.
Initially, the school’s focus was on physical education and the arts. Physical education was chosen as a focus because of the school’s excellent sports facilities, including a swimming pool, which is a rarity for educational institutions in district centers. The aesthetic focus was due to Molodechno’s status as the Cultural Capital of Minsk Oblast.
“We have preserved and expanded this foundation by introducing specialized classes in pedagogy, medicine, aviation, and military-patriotic education. It’s important to note that all children, beginning in elementary school, take classes in the arts. We have two orchestras, brass and folk ones, as well as two clubs: a chess club and ’What? Where? When?’ intellectual club. This framework provides wonderful support, allowing children to develop comprehensively and enter their specialized classes with a set of concrete skills,” the principal explained.
Admission to the military-patriotic class is competitive
The first such class at School No. 14 was established in 2009; the teachers’ initiative was strongly supported by parents.
“It did not emerge from nothing. The school already had a museum honoring soldiers of foreign wars, which has been led since its founding by Igor Ignatyevich Arabei. A veteran of the War in Afghanistan and head of the district veterans’ organization for soldiers of foreign wars, he has consistently involved young people in the organization’s work, including training young guides. The museum signed a cooperation agreement with the Military Academy, which provided substantial organizational support. Specialists from the Military Academy visited the school, conducted subject assessments, and offered career guidance to ensure that highly motivated students were selected for the specialized classes. This partnership continues on an ongoing basis,” explained Kalina Kaputskaya.
Moreover, the school considers it an excellent outcome if 30 % of students from the military-patriotic class go on to pursue military professions.
“What’s important for us is that they develop, study STEM subjects intensively, engage in sports, and then successfully pass the entrance exams for any university. It’s equally significant that the students are raised as patriots by participating in various events and memory watch vigils. Essentially, such classes create an environment that educates both the students themselves and those who want to look up to them,” the school head said.
Today, to gain admission to a military-patriotic class (an opportunity available to 9th-graders), students must go through several selection stages: they need a grade point average no lower than 7 in their subjects and good physical fitness. An interview, including with a psychologist, is conducted not only with the applicants for the specialized class but also with their parents.
“The process is rigorous, which is why only the most qualified gain admission. It’s worth noting that the girls keep pace with the boys, learning military science in the Ready to Serve the Homeland elective and distinguishing themselves in competitions,” Kalina Kaputskaya stressed.
Up, Up, and Away
It is noteworthy that the aviation class at School No. 14 came about thanks to the initiative of one of the students. A school graduate who successfully completed the Aviation Academy (a boy from a large family) gave such a compelling career guidance talk that several followers immediately decided to follow in his footsteps. Seeing the students’ interest in aviation, the school supported this by creating a specialized class.
“The project has recently been launched, and currently, students who will enter the specialized aviation class next year are undergoing pre-specialized training, which began in the 7th grade. They study mathematics and English at an advanced level and already see themselves as future aviators, as they wear uniforms. This instills discipline and makes them look up to the students in the military-patriotic classes. We have a cooperation agreement with the Aviation Academy, and the students will visit the university and participate in various events from our joint work plan,” said Kalina Kaputskaya.
Interestingly, ‘drone studies’ will also be added to the list of electives for students in the aviation class.
“For now, the course is being held at the academy, but starting next year we plan to introduce drone studies directly at the school. All that remains is to find a teacher,” the principal noted.
She also emphasized that such specialized classes are a real source of pride for any school. “We see how the students grow, how their sense of responsibility changes. They know they serve as an example and cannot let down their classmates or their teachers. And this shows not only in their academic performance but in any task they undertake. We work together, improve sites of military glory, and maintain order on the school grounds. They are more serious, more motivated. It’s no coincidence that we receive letters of appreciation from various organizations for preparing such young people,” Kalina Kaputskaya summed up.
In 2022, the school also opened a Hall of Remembrance to commemorate the history of the genocide of the local population in Molodechno District during the Great Patriotic War. The project was developed by the school’s teachers, and the materials were provided by the Prosecutor’s Office. Today, the hall contains information on over 120 burned villages, materials about the victims of Stalag No. 342, valuable artifacts found during excavations, unique wartime footage, and eyewitness testimonies.
A legendary teacher
The school’s museum dedicated to internationalist soldiers, created on the initiative of the district veterans’ organization and its chairman, retired Colonel Igor Arabei, plays an important role in fostering patriotism among the younger generation.
“I served in the army for 25 years, and I’ve been working at the school for 23. I am a veteran of combat operations in Afghanistan. In 1981, I graduated from the Minsk Suvorov Military School, and in 1985 from the Odessa Higher Artillery Command School. After serving for a year in Lvov in an artillery regiment, I spent a year in Afghanistan, where I suffered a severe injury. For my participation in a battle in 1987, I was awarded the Order of the Red Star. When I retired from the Armed Forces, I took a job at the school,” Igor Arabei said. Speaking about his teaching job, the veteran said that it inspires him and prevents him from retiring.
“My teaching isn’t just based on stories, museum artifacts play a key role too. Using photos, I show them the extreme hardships my boys endured. They had to carry 30-40 kg on their shoulders passing mountainous areas. Using the museum’s materials, I also train young tour guides who attend the after-school clubs. My students include both well-behaved ones and those who struggle with discipline. But it works: the kids change, and some even later choose military-patriotic classes,” Igor Arabei said.
The military educator and his students have a number of victories in various competitions to their credit. Particularly noteworthy is the catalog of sites of military glory in the Molodechno district they created. The children personally visited every military burial site and memorial dedicated to those who died during the Great Patriotic War, studied the material, and took photos for the future collection. In the anniversary year of the Victory, students and teachers of School No. 14 also renovated the grave of an unknown soldier.
It is important to note that Igor Ignatievich Arabei diligently documents the eventful life of the patriots from School No. 14, personally managing their social media accounts.
Today, the school museum is a center for patriotic education, where even teachers are taught. This is a place for exchanging teaching methods, hosting veteran meetings, and, importantly, where kids come gladly: not because they have to, but to seek guidance from someone who understands how to connect with each of them.
In 2019, Igor Ignatievich Arabei’s work was recognized at the state level: he was awarded the For Labor Merits medal.
Students that make the school proud
But the students of the specialized military-patriotic classes themselves can best tell about their journey and the work of their teachers.
Eleventh-grader Nadiya Karier is one of those who chose this class to continue a family dynasty. “I clearly understand my life goals and objectives, which is why I made this choice. The fact is, my father is a military pilot with the rank of Major General, served in Libya, and was a squadron commander. The father has been to Belarus many times. It is where he met my mother. And now he considers it his second Motherland,” said Nadiya. She plans to enroll in the Faculty of International Relations at Belarusian State University and makes every effort to become a student. The girl is not only an excellent student and athlete (she has the 1st adult category in artistic gymnastics), but also a participant in the joint Belarusian-Russian project Memory Train - 2025 and the military-patriotic camp “Heirs of the victors”.
“I am very grateful for this opportunity to visit 15 cities in Belarus and Russia, visit places of military glory, and make almost 200 new friends. But most importantly, participation in these projects has helped me gain a deeper understanding of the history of the war and has left a lasting impression,” Nadiya shared. By the way, she has received the Young Peacemaker award.
“Every one of us can contribute to positive changes in society,” Nadiya believes.
Nikita Gretsky is a student in the 10th grade with a military-patriotic specialization.
“My dream of becoming a soldier appeared approximately in the fifth grade. I liked the military uniform, the posture, the discipline, and I always looked with envy at the older students who were already studying this specialization. This is why I studied hard to pass the interview. I want to become a pilot,” Nikita said.
He also hones his military skills in the Almaz [Diamond] club.
“We learn self-defense techniques, practice shooting, and drill and ceremonies. All of it instills discipline and allows us to get used to the military environment. I would like to note that even in our class, it is noticeable. We have a sort of brotherhood, mutual support, mutual understanding, everyone is motivated, therefore there are no slackers or rule breakers among us,” Nikita noted.
Nastya Gerasimovich is a student in the 9th “A” grade with an aviation specialization.
“I want to master an engineering specialization in the future, which is why I study hard. I know exactly which subjects I need to focus on: mathematics, physics, and perfect English. Sport also helps, because you won’t find athletes with weak characters. When you have a goal, it’s much easier to overcome difficulties,” said Nastya.
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