Not A Student, But A Soldier: Life After The “Law On Deferment”

How will the new "law on deferment" change the fate of Belarusian young men?

A mathematician with a bachelor's degree who is going to pursue the Master's programme and confectioner who is disappointed in his profession and going to enter a medical college told Radio Svaboda about their fears.

"A year off the job is a long time," mathematician Ihar Holubenkou said.

"I'm afraid that even if I succeed with free Master's programme I will have to go to the army for a year, as I seem to have already had one deferment," Ihar Holubenkou says.

"University - Job - Master's Degree" is a life plan that Ihar is likely to change. The new "law on deferment" can suspend science for a year.

At the age of 17 Ihar Holubenkou qualified for free tuition, Department of Applied Mathematics and Informatics of the BSU. When he was a sophomore, he was summoned to the military registration and enlistment office. He was granted a deferment to complete his studies at the university.

This year the guy has graduated. He also got a 2-year placement in the company he has been working for since the beginning of his fourth year.

Exams for further education Ihar passes next week. But the prospect of joining the army in the fall is rather realistic than further education.

"It's a waste of time not to do things you're keen on. A year off the job is much. My father used to say that a specialist who missed practice either lost or stultified his competence very quickly. I doubt I have much time in the army to do math and programming. It will be a challenge to return to studies again," Ihar says.

Such a diploma gives a chance to think about the "IT squad" of the Ministry of Defense. But still, he hasn' t been interested in how to get there.

"I dream to serve as a paramedic", confectioner Mikhail Karanetski says

19-year-old Mikhail Karanetski is confectioner and is disappointed in his choice. He studied at the University of Culture and did not like it. This year, he wants to achieve his long-held dream and enter a medical school and work for an ambulance. He has already had two deferments. Even if he enters a medical school, he will likely serve a year and a half in the army.

The first profession was chosen accidentally. I wanted to be a cook, but I needed secondary education. I qualified for free tuition and had a year placement. When I went to work at a bakery, I was completely disappointed in my profession.

To avoid placement, I decided to enter the university.

"I passed tests, got 200 points in total, which was enough for the faculty of theology (but I am an atheist) and for the Belarusian State University of Culture and Arts for the faculty of information and document communications. I chose the second one. But it turned out to be a former library faculty. Although I liked some subjects as cultural studies, Belarusian literature. But at the end of the first semester I got bored," Mikhail said.

19 June the guy took the documents from the University of Culture, and 10 days later the "deputies" adopted the "law on deferment". Meanwhile, Mikhail has already decided to enter a medical college.

"I have always been interested in medicine. I have always dreamed of working in an ambulance. I knew I wouldn't make it to the medical university.

I prepared for tests when I was still at the University of Culture. I passed tests better than last year. Last year I got 27 points in the Belarusian language, this year - 55. Biology was 61 points. The Overall GP A is 6.9. Therefore, I may succeed. But I do not know whether I am drafted into the army. Most likely - yes, I will have a gap year," Mikhail says.

He does not mind serving in the army, but as soon as he has a profession. Otherwise, he loses 2 years. He will be able to return to studies only in the autumn of 2021.

"Perhaps, medical education may help me with practice in a military hospital. What shall I do there without education? To march? I won't regret if I serve in the army, but this time will be wasted.

Therefore, I aim to enter a medical college as a paramedic-obstetrician and to somehow avoid service in the army," Mikhail confesses.

The Ministry of Defense does not specify who may get a deferment. The Ministry refuses to comment on the law before its official publication.