Representation of the National Heritage of Belarus in the Pedagogical Work of Educational Institutions in the Field of Culture: Prospects and Limitations

The study aims to assess the current effectiveness of the representation of the historical and cultural heritage of Belarus in the activities of educational institutions in the cultural sphere and to identify strategic prospects and challenges for its enhancement. The materials included data from an expert survey involving twenty teachers from various Belarusian educational institutions in the cultural sphere, supplemented by an analysis of relevant publications primarily by Belarusian researchers on the issues of cultural heritage and education. The methodological framework is based on the integrative application of general scientific methods, expert surveys, and SWOT analysis, which allowed for a comprehensive assessment of both internal and external factors influencing the process under study. Expert assessments characterizing the dominant attitudes of young people towards the tangible and intangible heritage of Belarus were identified and analyzed, along with the integration of heritage into both formal educational components and informal educational activities at various institutional levels. Expert evaluation helped identify the most significant cultural objects and phenomena for organizing effective educational work and assess the content of websites of specialized educational institutions in terms of their role in popularizing heritage. Expert opinions were also established regarding forms of student engagement that effectively involve them in activities related to national heritage sites. It was determined that the representation of heritage is characterized by a developed institutional infrastructure and the inclusion of relevant disciplines in curricula, yet faces challenges such as the formalization of events, low popularity of certain folk specializations among applicants, and insufficient use of digital tools. The analysis revealed that key prospects for improving effectiveness lie in (1) active development of cultural volunteering, (2) comprehensive digitalization of heritage representation formats, and (3) modernization of website content to enhance its appeal to young people. Conversely, the main threats include (1) the leveling influence of cultural globalization, (2) commercialization of the cultural sphere, and (3) reduction of hours allocated in the curriculum for studying social sciences and humanities. It was concluded that enhancing the effectiveness of heritage representation requires a systematic approach focused on adapting educational processes to modern technological realities and countering external challenges to preserve the authenticity and regulatory potential of the national heritage of the Republic of Belarus.