Ivan Shyla was expelled by teachers who never taught him

Not a single teacher of Ivan Shyla voted for the pupil’s expulsion from school. The guy informed ERB that teachers did not obey the order of KGB to annul the results of the exams he had already passed. However, they were constrained to expel the pupil just before the last exam. Ivan does not take offence at teachers because those who voted for his expulsion have never taught any subjects to him. Іvan Shyla: “None of my teachers voted for my expulsion. There are 35 teachers I had never had any contact with. They voted for my expulsion from school. The 28 teachers who abstained and the 2 who voted contra were teachers who taught me in high school”.

Let us remind you that a Malady Front activist Ivan Shyla was expelled from school on the eve of the last exam on June 4. According to the activist, it was the local education department that had initiated his expulsion. However, the head of Salihorsk District Executive Committee department of education Mikalai Maskevich said he was very busy and refused to give any comments when ERB informed him about the topic of the interview.

Ivan’s father – Uladzimir Shyla – confessed that his son had missed some classes but the official reason for the expulsion was his civil activities and violations:

Uladzіmіr Shyla: “In fact, Ivan did miss some classes. It is true. However, it was not the major reason and they are not even trying to conceal it. They say that it happened because of missed classes and numerous violations. They consider all Ivan’s detentions for political activities to be violations”.

It is worth mentioning that only three pedagogical councils took place in that school during the year. And two councils were organized over the last two days.

The headmistress Volha Syankova resigned to express solidarity with Ivan Shyla. She confessed that it was impossible to work in the system of education in an interview with ERB.

Volha Syankova: “I am not a headmistress anymore. I am leaving.  I have a long-service bonus so I am resigning. It is impossible to work in the education system nowadays. They have made me lose interest in working in the system of education”.

Pupils who studied together with Ivan describe him as a good pupil. His classmate Vital Bandarchuk told ERB that Ivan was one of the best pupils in the History of Belarus and “Person, State, Society”:

Vіtal Bandarchuk: “There were some subjects: History of Belarus and “Person. State. Society”. Ivan participated in a running race once. He was a responsible and friendly pupil who would never let your down and would help you when you needed it”.

Ivan is going to appeal his expulsion in court. He thinks the expulsion before the last exam was illegal, especially taking into account that he had already passed two exams. However, the guy does not hope that a trial will help.

Іvan Shyla: “I have experience of hearings in courts. I do not really hope. There are no illusions. However, I have to try”.

Famous Belarusian activists have signed an appeal to the head of Salihorsk District Executive Committee asking to allow Ivan Shyla return to school.


Photo by Yuliya Darashkevich