3 September 2026

Lukashenko received a report from the Minister of Education. We'll tell you the main points

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko received Education Minister Andrei Ivanets for a report, a BELTA correspondent reports.

• On school meals and physical education
• On major school renovations
• On the Academy of Intellectual Technologies
• On assistance for young professionals
• On master’s programmes and Western standards

In his opening remarks, the head of state outlined several main topics on which he asked the minister to report: the results of the admissions campaign, ensuring quality meals in schools, and the physical training of pupils and students. The President was also interested in the process of establishing the Academy of Intellectual Technologies and issues related to the functioning of master’s programmes. Another topic was the work of young professionals in their assigned locations, how this process is organised, and what may be lacking.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that he had recently spent about a week on foreign business trips, while before that his attention had focused on the progress of the harvest campaign in rural areas. “There was no way to avoid that. Therefore, it may have seemed that school and university matters had taken a back seat. But that does not mean that I am unaware of how things developed with the start of the new academic year,” the President said. “Naturally, there is the issue of the admissions campaign. How did it go, and what problems are there that require my attention?”

The head of state also proposed discussing certain organisational and personnel issues if necessary.

On school meals and physical education

Alexander Lukashenko reiterated the task of ensuring quality meals for children in schools. “We agreed that it was necessary to ensure that we no longer worry about school meals or discuss them at the presidential level. This task was set for the government and for you,” the head of state said. “I see that we are constantly moving in the direction of trying to offer children an almost restaurant-style or some other kind of menu. Children simply need to be properly fed at lunchtime. We have enough potatoes, meat, and milk. So, sausages, cold cuts, and so on — something that will allow children to eat properly.”

“Let us be frank: in some families, children’s nutrition is not given sufficient attention. Therefore, what they receive at school — a proper lunch — will be beneficial for children and contribute to their normal health and development,” the President noted.

The head of state also ordered physical training to be strengthened: “Schools are still falling short in terms of physical development. The military also tell me that the contingent — those joining the army — has improved, but not by much. We need somehow to give our young people, especially school-age children, a good push in terms of physical development as well.”

“Therefore, nutrition and physical training at school are among the important issues. The same applies to universities,” the Belarusian leader added.

On major school renovations

The President was informed about the readiness of educational institutions for the start of the new academic year. Thus, as of September 1, 3,500 preschool education institutions — kindergartens and nurseries — are operating in Belarus, serving 300,000 children. There are 2,600 schools, with 1.025 million pupils enrolled, including 87,500 first-graders. According to the minister, certificates of readiness for the start of the academic year had been signed by September 1 for all schools.

Alexander Lukashenko set the task of completing the school capital-renovation plan this year: “Whatever it takes, schools must be thoroughly overhauled and brought to the condition in which we would like to see them. If anyone does not understand something, report it in time. Do not carry these problems into 2027; they must be resolved now.”

Andrei Ivanets said on this matter: “All governors understand this task and are treating it very responsibly.” He explained that the implementation of the three-year school modernisation plan ends this year. More than 300 schools have undergone major renovation during this period.

On the Academy of Intellectual Technologies

The process of establishing the Academy of Intellectual Technologies was one of the topics addressed during the report. “We must create a substantial centre where the most talented and capable people will study. I emphasise: people. This does not mean that we will take only students straight fr om school after Year 11, even if they are talented, and no one else. This must be avoided. Anyone — young or old — if they are talented and can create something, should come there with a concrete proposal. And after we give them opportunities there to improve, study, and create something in laboratories, the result should be a real product that society, our economy, and our state need,” the head of state said.

• “A real product is needed.” Lukashenko on the tasks of the Academy of Intellectual Technologies being established

Alexander Lukashenko asked how the work to establish the academy was progressing. The Education Minister will chair its supervisory board and determine policy in practical terms.

“You are a scholar. None of this came easily to you in life. You are educated, competent, and promising. You have also tried all this in the scientific field — what the academy needs. You will have to deal with this academy, its personnel, and so on,” the Belarusian leader remarked.

The President noted that immediately before the meeting, proposals in the form of draft decrees concerning the establishment of the academy had been placed on his desk. He said that there was no need to burden the government additionally with determining a system, areas of activity, or personnel matters.

“Our universities are operating, and the system is clear — under the Ministry of Education. The academy should operate in exactly the same way, with the minister personally involved as chair of the supervisory board. Why raise issues concerning this academy any higher? Especially since it would be nothing but formalism,” Alexander Lukashenko said. “In any case, you will have to develop these approaches and submit them to the government if, as you write to me, the government is to determine certain issues and areas. This is a presidential initiative, essentially a presidential institution. It is clear that both the government and the Presidential Administration will be involved anyway.”

On assistance for young professionals

Young professionals in Belarus should not, figuratively speaking, be carried in one’s arms, but they should be helped wh ere necessary. This is the task set by the President.

“I asked for the data to be provided to me. How are they — the young professionals — doing? What are we lacking there? This does not mean that we should carry them in our arms. No one carried me, and no one carried you either. We climbed through life on our own. But help is needed in some places,” the head of state said.

On master’s programmes and Western standards

Alexander Lukashenko gave separate attention to the topic of master’s programmes. The head of state keeps this issue under personal control.

“How are we working today? We agreed that we would not chase these Western standards. But where there is something reasonable, we will adopt it. If a master’s programme is needed for education, further study, scientific work, teaching practice, or for foreign students, then we can provide such an opportunity. But without rushing ahead or copying the experience of certain Western educational centres or states,” the President said.

“We are training people for ourselves. Having graduated from university, they must receive a higher-education diploma. Then, depending on how much our state needs it, we will consider master’s programmes. This is roughly how we discussed the concept. I would like to know how it is being implemented in practice,” Alexander Lukashenko said.