VITEBSK, 15 February (BelTA) – Schools in Vitebsk Oblast need 156 teachers of foreign languages, head of the education department of the Vitebsk Oblast Executive Committee Ivan Shchurok said at a session of the department on 15 February. Despite the fact that the schools in the region are fully staffed this year, they still need more foreign language teachers. As of today, teachers work 30 hours a week on average, while some of them work overtime. Ivan Shchurok said that it is not possible to fill the gap with university graduates in short term. He proposed the Piotr Masherov Vitebsk State University to organize foreign languages courses for those who already have teaching certificates. The region has already faced the similar problems. A couple of years ago schools of Vitebsk Oblast were lacking math and physics teachers. Elementary teachers then underwent training at the Advanced Training Academy and the Masherov University. Pre-schools institution of the oblast also lack specialists. Kindergartens need 136 tutors. About 8.7% of the teaching staff in schools are in retiring age. In kindergartens this figure is 7.4%. Some 738 young specialists are expected to join the teaching staff of Vitebsk Oblast’s schools this year.

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