Homeschooling In Belarus: Is It Legal?

Homeschooling is allowed in Belarus, but only under certain circumstances. Students can be homeschooled if they have a serious medical condition, if they have exceptional talent, or if they are unable to attend school permanently for valid reasons. While not explicitly prohibited by law, homeschooling is not very socially acceptable and is considered undesirable by school authorities.

Homeschooling is only allowed in Belarus under certain circumstances

Homeschooling is not completely prohibited by law in Belarus, but it is only allowed under certain circumstances. While education provided outside of the schooling system is rare, it is possible for children to be homeschooled if they have a serious medical condition, if they have exceptional talent, or if they are unable to attend school for a good reason.

The Code for Education in Belarus outlines that the educational process can be organised in educational institutions, at home, or in healthcare organisations. The Code defines homeschooling as a method of learning for students who are unable to attend school for medical reasons, and who therefore learn at home instead of in a formal school setting. The decision to homeschool is made by the department of education of the local executive body, following the submission of an application by the child or their representatives, along with a certificate from a medical board.

The Code on Education further specifies that the acquisition of general secondary education at home is organised by a state educational institution located near the child's home or by an educational institution the child previously attended. A list of medical conditions required for the application of homeschooling was established by the Decree of the Ministry of Health of Belarus in May 2011.

While homeschooling is primarily authorised for medical reasons, the Code also allows for homeschooling under two other conditions: if a child is exceptionally talented, or if they are unable to attend school temporarily or permanently for "good reasons". In such cases, a child is entitled to study following an individual plan of studies, which is reiterated as a pupil's right in Article 31 (1.5) of the Code.

However, it is important to note that the terms "good reasons" and "exceptionally talented child" are vague, and there are no guarantees that permission to homeschool will be granted even under these circumstances. The matter is often left to the discretion of local educational authorities, and homeschooling is generally not considered a desirable option by school authorities.

Homeschooling is possible if a child has a serious medical condition

In Belarus, homeschooling is only legal in certain situations. While it is not completely prohibited by law, education provided outside the schooling system is virtually non-existent. It is not considered socially acceptable and is viewed as undesirable by school authorities.

A list of medical conditions required for the application for homeschooling was established by the Decree of the Ministry of Health of Belarus in May 2011. This allows children with serious medical conditions to receive an education that accommodates their needs.

However, it is important to note that homeschooling in Belarus is generally not a common or widely accepted practice, and permission to homeschool is granted solely at the discretion of local educational authorities.

Homeschooling is also an option for exceptionally talented children

Homeschooling is a legal option for parents in Belarus, but only in certain situations. While not explicitly prohibited by law, it is not a common practice and is considered undesirable by school authorities.

The Code for Education in Belarus allows for homeschooling under specific circumstances. According to Article 158 (1.2), the educational process can be organised in educational institutions, at home, or in healthcare organisations. Article 1 (16) defines homeschooling as a suitable option for students who cannot attend traditional educational institutions, either temporarily or permanently, for medical reasons.

However, homeschooling is also possible under two other conditions, according to the Code on Education. Firstly, if a child is deemed exceptionally talented, and secondly, if a child cannot attend school temporarily or permanently "for good reasons". These reasons are not explicitly defined, and the decision to approve homeschooling in these cases lies with the local educational authorities.

If homeschooling is approved, the child is entitled to study following an individual plan of studies (Article 167 (1)). This right is reiterated by Article 31 (1.5), which states that following an individual educational plan is one of the pupil's principal rights. The child is registered with a school and can attend any additional classes they wish. The homeschool curriculum must meet the requirements of the public school curriculum, and the student must come to school for regular tests.

Homeschooling can be a good option for families with exceptionally talented children in fields such as athletics, poetry, art, or acting, allowing them to pursue their talents while also receiving a formal education.

Homeschooling is legal if a child cannot attend school permanently for a good reason

Homeschooling is a growing trend worldwide, and while it is becoming legal in more and more countries, it is still prohibited in some. Belarus is one of the countries where homeschooling is allowed in certain cases. Homeschooling is an option for students who cannot attend school permanently for a good reason. This is in addition to the two other accepted reasons for homeschooling in Belarus: serious medical conditions and exceptional talent.

In Belarus, the decision to homeschool is made by the department of education of the local executive body. The child's representatives must submit an application and a certificate from the medical board. While the Code on Education specifies that homeschooling is authorized for medical reasons, a closer look at the Code reveals that it is also possible if a child is exceptionally talented or cannot attend school temporarily or permanently for good reasons.

The Code for Education states that the educational process can be organized in educational institutions, at home, or in healthcare organizations. Homeschooling is defined as the organization of the educational process during which the curriculum of general secondary education is learned by a pupil who temporarily or permanently cannot attend educational institutions.

Homeschooling in Belarus is considered an individual plan of studies, and the child is registered with a school and allowed to attend any additional classes they wish. The homeschooler is required to come to school for regular tests to ensure that the homeschool curriculum meets the requirements of the public school system.

While homeschooling is an option in Belarus under certain circumstances, it is not very socially acceptable and is considered undesirable by school authorities. Additionally, the vagueness of the formulation of "good reasons" and "exceptionally talented child" leaves room for interpretation by local educational authorities, who have sole discretion in such matters.

Homeschooling is not very socially acceptable in Belarus

Homeschooling is not widely accepted in Belarus, and it is only permitted in certain situations. While not explicitly prohibited by law, education outside of the traditional schooling system is almost non-existent. The social perception of homeschooling is largely negative, and it is considered undesirable by school authorities.

The Code for Education in Belarus outlines specific circumstances under which homeschooling is authorised by the State. According to Article 158 (1.2), the educational process can be organised in educational institutions, at home, or in healthcare organisations. However, homeschooling is primarily permitted for medical reasons, as outlined in Article 160(1) and further specified by a Decree of the Ministry of Health of Belarus in May 2011.

In addition to medical reasons, homeschooling is also possible if a child is exceptionally talented or unable to attend school temporarily or permanently for valid reasons. Even in these cases, however, the decision to approve homeschooling rests with the local educational authorities, and there is no guarantee that permission will be granted.

The social unacceptability of homeschooling in Belarus is evident in the limited circumstances under which it is allowed. Parents who wish to homeschool their children for reasons other than those specified may face challenges and resistance from educational institutions and authorities. The vagueness of terms like "valid reasons" and "exceptionally talented" in the Code for Education further complicates the process of obtaining permission.

The negative perception of homeschooling in Belarus is also reflected in the lack of social acceptance. As one parent shared, it is challenging to justify the decision to homeschool, especially if the child does not have a specific talent or medical condition. The social norm in Belarus strongly favours traditional schooling, making it difficult for families who wish to pursue alternative educational paths for their children.

In summary, while homeschooling is not explicitly prohibited in Belarus, it is socially frowned upon and considered undesirable. The strict regulations and the discretion given to local educational authorities make it challenging for families to obtain permission to homeschool. The social perception of homeschooling as undesirable further contributes to its lack of social acceptability in the country.

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