President of Belarus signs law on licensing of schools and kindergartens

President of Belarus Alexander Lukashenko signed a law "On licensing," BelTA informs, citing the press service of the Belarusian leader.

The law preserves the basic approaches to licensing, enshrined in the decree № 450 of September 1, 2010 "On licensing certain types of activities." It provides continuity of the basic principles of licensing.

In particular, the whole sphere of licensing is systematically and comprehensively regulated, including the definition of licensed activities and licensing bodies, the requirements imposed on license applicants and licensees, the procedure of obtaining a license. The law specifies gross violations of the legislation on licensing, which are grounds for termination of a license.

In addition, the law provides for the licensing of activities in the field of railway transport in order to implement the obligations assumed by the country within the EAEU.

Transition to electronic licensing through the creation of a single digital registry of licenses is consolidated.

One of the important innovations is the introduction of licensing of pre-school and school education.

Educational activity requires increased control from the state, as it is connected with the formation of a healthy, ideologically stable and versatile personality. Licensing of these activities will guarantee the legality and quality of the services provided, will evaluate the organization of the educational process and prevent the emergence in the field of education of economic entities pursuing purely commercial purposes to the detriment of the state and the individual.

Norms on obtaining a license by public and private kindergartens and schools will take effect immediately after the official publication of the law, other provisions, from January 1, 2023. The terms of applying for a license will be determined by the Ministry of Education in accordance with the schedule approved by it. The licensing is entrusted to the Minsk City Executive Committee and district executive committees.

The adoption of the law will reduce the administrative burden on business entities and ensure the need to obtain a license only for economic activities potentially involving threats to state or public interests, the rights and legitimate interests of citizens.