The Ministry of Education has opened for public discussion a draft Council of Ministers resolution “On the Register of Individuals Engaged in Independent Professional Activity in Teaching Children”. The discussion is taking place on the Legal Forum until 1 June.
The resolution provides that independent professional activity in teaching children may be carried out only after an individual is included in the register. Such activity without inclusion in the register would be prohibited.
The draft applies to the following types of independent professional activity involving minors:
- teaching (without implementing educational programme content) how to use a personal computer, laptop, tablet computer or smartphone;
- teaching (without implementing educational programme content) visual arts, playing musical instruments, dance, choreography, vocal performance and public speaking;
- private tutoring;
- services of a special education teacher (including speech therapist, teacher for visually impaired children, teacher for hearing-impaired children and teacher for children with intellectual disabilities).
“The adoption of the draft resolution will make it possible to minimise the possibility of independent professional activity in teaching children being carried out by individuals against whom a conviction has entered into legal force for extremist offences, offences under Articles 139, 145–147, 154, Parts 2 and 3 of Article 165, Articles 166–172, Part 2 of Article 173, Articles 181–182, 187, 327–329, 331, 332, 342-1, 343 and 343-1 of the Criminal Code of the Republic of Belarus, regardless of whether the conviction has been expunged, as well as the provision of services by special education teachers, speech therapists, teachers for visually impaired children, teachers for hearing-impaired children and teachers for children with intellectual disabilities by persons who do not have the relevant education.”, the explanatory note to the draft states.
Individuals engaged in independent professional activity in teaching children would be required to submit applications for inclusion in the register to the authorised body and notify it if circumstances arise that restrict their ability to work with children. The Department for Education Quality Control has been designated as the authorised body.
The resolution is expected to enter into force three months after publication.
