Why School Education In Belarus Is Not Free At All
- 27.02.2026, 11:38
Parents of students have to pay for a lot of things in schools.
Excursions, meals and laptops - there are states where all this is free of charge for schoolchildren. From whom Belarus can learn the real "social orientation"? About it writes "Belarusians and the market".
The Constitution of Belarus guarantees free education for all. In fact, parents of pupils have to pay for many things in schools.
For example, schoolchildren pay for textbooks, and additionally discount on other educational materials. At the same time payment is made on the principle of rent - for the use of used copies. Children from large families
receive a discount. Only children with disabilities and some other vulnerable categories use textbooks free of charge.
In most socially-oriented countries of Europe, textbooks at school are provided free of charge to all children. For example, in neighboring Poland, in addition to free textbooks, each pupil by the beginning of the school year receives 300 zlotys (about 83 dollars) from the budget to buy school supplies. This assistance is in addition to the monthly allowance of $220 paid to children until adulthood.
Free laptops
In the Nordic countries, in addition to the basic set of textbooks, all materials necessary for studying, including tablets and laptops, are provided free of charge. In Finland, for example, tablets are given to children starting from the third grade, and older students use laptops.
Schools and teachers themselves choose and purchase materials, which are then provided to students.
No fees for activities and excursions
In general, in the Nordic countries the concept of "free education" is interpreted more literally than in Belarus. In addition to free textbooks and materials, transportation to school, medical care, and extracurricular activities are provided free of charge.
In Finland, for example, parents do not have to pay any additional fees and donations, nor do they have to pay for excursions.
Free meals
In Finland, Sweden and Estonia, all children are provided with free school lunches every day. In general education school children learn the basics of national food culture and the basics of healthy eating.
The state explains the need for free lunches by the principles of social justice - every child should have equal conditions in education. After all, studies show that a nutritious diet is an important condition for successful learning.