Lukashenko: Future of Belarus largely depends on its youth

The head of state stressed that it is a good tradition to meet with outstanding university graduates and the faculty members at the end of the academic year.

“The present and future of Belarus largely depend on you, the youth. It is crucial that you become not only skilled professionals but also true patriots, socially mature and spiritually rich individuals to whom we can trust with the future of our Belarus. The world is vast, but we have only one Belarus. Keep your homeland in your heart. Cherish and protect the peaceful sky over our country. This is the most precious thing we, the older generation, have preserved for you,” the President said.

Aleksandr Lukashenko also expressed gratitude to the teaching staff for raising the generation who are devoted to their country, who respect traditions and uphold the values of Belarusian people.

“The work of a teacher is important and difficult. You have invested your teaching talent, your heart and soul in every student. We thank you, dear teachers,” the head of state said.

The President congratulated all graduates on the end of the academic year and wished them success on the path they have chosen.

“Today is a special day for you. It carries a touch of sadness as you part ways with your alma mater, but also a pleasant anticipation of your future victories. There is a saying: genius is one percent inspiration and ninety-nine percent perspiration,” the Belarusian leader remarked.

“Work hard and remember it is your time. Do not be afraid of difficulties or challenges. As I always say, do everything on time, do not put things off. Because later new problems and tasks will be waiting for you. And most importantly, do not give up if you make a mistake. Life is full of ups and downs. There will be failures, there will be setbacks. But as the saying goes, those who do nothing make no mistakes. Those who work hard and who are driven will undoubtedly achieve success, while making mistakes on the way. Yet those mistakes will temper you and give you the strength to move forward. This is what I wish for you,” Aleksandr Lukashenko emphasized.

Speaking about the education system, the head of state said that some teachers make TikTok videos to complain about the need to visit students at home or criticize other aspects of work. “I keep an eye on what teachers lament about in TikTok and read the comments: “We are obliged to make home visits but some are families of drunks and visiting them is not a pleasant thing to do...,” Aleksandr Lukashenko cited one of the examples. He noted that such visits are necessary. After all, in order to successfully transfer knowledge, you need to know a student, not only in the school environment but also to understand their situation at home, to know parents.

Another issue that is often raised with regards the education system is paperwork. “We have made all decisions on this matter. Please do not invent anything on the ground,” the head of state stressed. “If you are forced to do something extra paperwork (outside the scope of your tasks), please take this issue up to the education minister, the head of the President Administration. There should be no bureaucracy. Everything must proper and normal.”

Everyone should perform a certain amount of duties, work, and should not try to shift responsibility to someone else. In the context of the Year of Improvement, responsible participation of everyone is important. Aleksandr Lukashenko demonstrates this approach when he plants trees, mows grass, harvests crops or chops wood. “When a person is not willing to work on their land plot or help a neighbor, an elderly lady to tidy things up… I don't really understand this. I am the President and can have people mow grass. But I do it myself and see nothing shameful about it.”

“When you decide to post something on TikTok, remember that work is crucial everywhere,” the head of state said. “You are hardworking people. Two-and-a-half dozen of you out of millions have been invited to the Palace of Independence today for a reason. You and your teachers have deserved it.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko went on saying that sometimes, addressing the people in general and young people in particular, he responds somewhat harshly to topical issues. Potato shortages in stores were one of such recent examples. The President believes that many should plant this crop themselves, so that in early spring they do not complain about the shortage of potatoes in stores. “If I was too harsh criticizing you for failing to plant potatoes at your summer houses and lacking them in March, then I beg your pardon,” Aleksandr Lukashenko said. “Before you decide to criticize someone, stand in front of the mirror and take a good look. I always use this principle. Look at yourselves. Look as what you have done and what you haven’t, and what still needs to be done.”

Addressing the young people present in the hall, the President noted that they will have to make many important decisions. It is important to think through everything: on the one hand, take your time and act carefully, on the other hand, do not delay, so as not to fall behind.

“Life is hard, very hard. You have a great future ahead of you. Sometime you quickly pass some stages in life. Sometimes you need time to look around,” the head of state said. “Our country is located in the middle of Europe. This is our advantage and a source of great concerns. Because a person in the center is affected from all sides. So you have to be wise. We Belarusians are wise people. The main thing, be calm where necessary and not to rush. But when action is required, it is important to act and go fast.” 

“We have agreed with the minister that we will soon take a serious look at some of the pressing issues in education. Frankly speaking, the system will be thoroughly fine-tuned,” the President said. “It is necessary. I have promised not to make any more changes to the education system, because people are tired of reforms. We will not focus on the human aspects any more: we will focus on deeper issues. So that when the current generation of officials steps aside, it will be a bit easier for you, the youth. We will be cleaning these Augean stables. We are not stopping at where the education system stands today.”

Aleksandr Lukashenko also touched upon the duration of university studies. He previously instructed officials to reduce the length of degree programs by reducing the number of academic hours for non-core subjects unrelated to students’ specializations.

“Sometimes a subject requires one semester, but it is stretched over two or three semesters and then students quickly forget it all,” the Belarusian leader said. “We have questions for the teaching staff and university leadership. I believe we will seriously discuss these issues in about a month.”

According to the President, although the overall duration of study has been shortened, this reduction has been balanced by the introduction of the bachelor’s degree system. In Belarus, a bachelor’s degree represents the first stage of higher education, which provides a solid foundation in a chosen field and lasts four years. After graduation, students receive a bachelor’s diploma and may either enter the workforce or continue their studies at the second stage of higher education, the master’s program. This path is important for those pursuing academic or teaching careers, certain professional roles, or further studies at the doctoral level.

“We have increased the number of hours and so on. But this is not the path we should follow. Students should study as long as necessary. If a university program is designed to last three and a half or four years, it should not take six years to complete,” the head of state emphasized.

“We worry about not having enough scientists, yet we create obstacles. And then we add postgraduate studies just to become not a great scientist, but an ordinary one,” Aleksandr Lukashenko stressed.

He also recalled that he had once firmly prohibited “chasing after the Bologna process.”

As an example of extended study periods, Aleksandr Lukashenko cited the Academy of Arts, where some programs last six years. “It enrolls talented people. Their talent should be supported and developed. Six years… This is longer than some medical programs. Is that normal? And what did we get? In 2020, they joined the riots marching at the front,” the head of state remarked.

After presenting the President's letters of commendation, Aleksandr Lukashenko addressed the graduates and teachers: “I thank you once again for everything you have done at this stage of your life. I thank our teachers for raising such a generation.”

“When I look at our brilliant boys and girls, I think: if all people were like this, we would never have problems. And we would be rich. Because a country is rich not when it has natural resources, but when it has smart, hard-working people. That is why our country has a future because we have you,” the Belarusian leader emphasized.