Opinions & Interviews

MINSK, 3 October (BelTA) – On 3 October Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko met with the finalists of the nationwide contest Teacher of the Year of the Republic of Belarus. At the meeting with the educators the President emphasized the huge role of the teaching profession for the modern-day society, BelTA has learned.

“We live in the fast-changing world. The education system is being improved and enriched, new technologies are being introduced, however the role of teachers remains as significant as before. There is not a more important person for the society than a teacher. There cannot be a normal society and state without a teacher,” the Belarusian leader underlined.

According to Alexander Lukashenko, a true teacher is not just a professional educator, but also an interesting personality able to arouse interest in his/her discipline, awake children’s enthusiasm and unleash their creative energy. “We build new schools, improve their physical infrastructure, and invest huge funds into equipment and information technologies. Our number one goal is to help our secondary education to keep up with the times,” the President said.

Alexander Lukashenko noted that today’s students can get information not only from books and textbooks, but also from the Internet, as they are confident computer users. “School should keep pace with it. Teachers should not lag behind students. Teachers should become reliable and knowledgeable senior comrades. At the same time teachers should make use of the fundamental knowledge and values accumulated by many generations of their predecessors,” the head of state is convinced.

The meeting was held in an informal and friendly atmosphere. The attendees discussed various issues related to modern-day Belarusian education, like the relations between school and family, a teacher’s role in the upbringing of the younger generation, promotion of a healthy lifestyle, vocational training, the work of public and private educational institutions and curricular.