Under Soviet rule, Belarus had a very high literacy
rate, but most education was in the Russian language. In 1990, Belarusian
was reinstated as the official language, and it is again being used as
the language of instruction in schools. As well as Russian and Belarusian,
many children also learn English, German or French.
The costs of education, including texts,
are paid for by the state. Pre-school education is subsidized and about
60% of children attend. Education is compulsory from the ages of 6 to 16.
At the end of grades 9 and 11, students must take an examination in order
to continue with their education. |
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At age 15, students can continue with general
studies or transfer to a vocational or specialist school. Specialist schools
are devoted to music, foreign languages, mathematics, science or sports.
Vocational schools train teachers, machinists and computer technicians.
There are 33 postsecondary institutions in
Belarus, including the Belarusian State University, Homel State University,
Hrodna State University, the Belarusian Agricultural Academy and the Belarusian
Academy of Sciences. After university, many Belarusians go on to do postgraduate
work and advanced training. |
Did you know? |
Belarus
has long been known as a centre of advanced science and engineering. An
early Soviet cosmonaut, Piotr Klimuk, was from Belarus. |
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