Around 2,600 schools, gymnasiums and lyceums will operate in the new academic year. Approximately 1.025 million students are expected to begin classes. The meeting reviewed the construction of new schools, current and major repairs to existing facilities, and their outfitting with modern equipment. Participants also focused on upgrading school cafeterias and sports facilities, as well as ensuring safe conditions for children’s education and upbringing.

Natalya Petkevich stressed the importance of completing all planned work on time and in full, including the issuance of school readiness certificates. «Special attention was paid to student transportation. A total of 104 school buses are to be purchased centrally with funding from the state budget before the start of the new academic year,» the press service said.

The meeting also addressed the organization of back-to-school retail sales. The relevant organizations were tasked with holding school fairs on a large scale, including in rural areas, ensuring a wide selection of quality business-style school clothing and footwear in various sizes, and offering discounts, minimal retail markups and joint promotional campaigns with manufacturers.

«Preparations for children from large families and low-income families, those living with guardians or foster families, in family-type children’s homes, as well as children officially recognized as being in socially dangerous situations remain under special supervision,» the press service added.

The meeting brought together officials from the Ministry of Education, Healthcare Ministry, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, Ministry of the Interior, Ministry of Antimonopoly Regulation and Trade, Ministry of Labor and Social Protection, the Bellegprom concern, the Belcoopsoyuz cooperative society, as well as deputy chairpersons of regional executive committees and the Minsk City Executive Committee.