Belarusian Education System-An Overview

The Ministry of Education manages the education system in Belarus. Every citizen of Belarus has the right to education. The education system of the Republic of Belarus is divided into following levels:

Preschool education in Belarus is optional, and for children up to the age of 6 years. Preschool education in Belarus is offered by preprimary school, nursery schools and kindergartens. This educational level contributes to the overall development of the child, and provides access to the Belarus culture, tradition and language. 

Compulsory education in Belarus last for 9 years. 

General secondary education in Belarus has 3 stages:

This educational level work towards the overall development of the child. It develops the creative, physical, moral, aesthetic, intellectual and spiritual abilities of the child.

Primary education in Belarus is compulsory for children aged 6 to 10. This educational level is aimed at the physical, cognitive, moral and spiritual development of the student.

Basic secondary education in Belarus is compulsory for children aged 10 to 15. Students who complete basic secondary education can go for general secondary education.

Curriculum: Mathematics, Russian and Belarusian language, world culture, foreign language- French, English or German), literature, labor and physical training, modern civilizations, sciences, music, Belarusian and world history, and art.

Certificate awarded: Certificate of Basic Education

General secondary education in Belarus is optional. This educational level is offered by gymnasium and lyceums. Gymnasium offers in-depth humanitarian education and focuses on the study of foreign languages. Lyceums provide professionally-oriented education and are generally affiliated with research or higher education institutions.

Upon successful completion of this educational level, students can go for higher education, vocational education or specialized education. 

Curriculum: Mathematics, national history and culture, Russian and Belarusian language, nature and society, physical education, music, and personal hygiene. 

Certificate awarded: Certificate of General Secondary Education

Secondary vocational education in Belarus is offered by vocational schools, professional lyceums and colleges. The vocational education in Belarus operates on 2 levels:

First level comprises of vocational technical schools and apprenticeship programmes. Students who have completed general secondary education can pursue this level. This level emphasizes more on theoretical courses. Practical training is also provided. 

Second level of vocational education is specialized secondary education.

Certificate awarded: Upon successful completion of the secondary vocational education, "Diploma of Secondary Vocational Education" qualification is awarded to the students.

Specialized secondary education in Belarus is offered by technicums, professional secondary schools known as vuchylishcha, and colleges. These educational institutions provide theoretical as well as practical knowledge and skills. 

This level ends with exams and defense of a project.

Higher education in Belarus is offered by public and private higher education institutions. In Belarus, higher education is offered by classical universities, academies and institutes. These higher education institutions offer a 2-stage system of higher education that leads to the academic degrees of Bachelor and Master. 

Universities and academies in Belarus provide graduate and post-graduate courses of study and are involved in fundamental research. Universities provide education in a wide range of fields, and academies/profile universities have limited specialization. Institutes are highly specialized and do not have postgraduate courses. 

Full-time as well as part-time programmes are offered by higher education institutions in Belarus. 

The first stage of higher education is bachelor degree that last for 4 years. Students who completed this stage are eligible for second stage of higher education-master’s studies that last for 1-2 years.  Students who complete the secondary stage can go for postgraduate education. Postgraduate education comprise of doctorate studies. Doctorate last for 3 years and lead to Doctor of Science degree. The Doktar's degree is the highest scientific degree.