Scandal in Kyiv Lyceum #109: Principal who did not allow students to wear shorts resigns before the inspection is completed
23 December 14:48
The principal of Kyiv’s Taras Shevchenko Lyceum #109, Vitaliya Polyakova, resigned at her own request amid a high-profile scandal that erupted at the beginning of the school year. It was a situation where students were not allowed to attend classes because of shorts, which the head of the institution considered “not festive enough” clothing. The situation was reported by the NUS media, according to
The dismissal became known in December, before the commission could complete an internal investigation into the principal’s actions.
How the events unfolded
The scandal began on September 2, 2025, and quickly spread beyond the school, causing a wave of outrage among parents and a broad public debate about school rules, children’s rights, and the powers of the administration.
Following the outcry, a commission was set up to investigate the actions of the lyceum’s head. However, according to the NUS media, its work was effectively blocked: as soon as the inspection started, the principal began taking regular sick leave and did not show up for work.
The role of the educational ombudsman
Education Ombudsman Nadiya Leshchyk said that she had addressed the National Health Service with inquiries about the legality of issuing sick leave. She also sent a request to the Department of Education and Science of the Kyiv City State Administration.
The department’s response stated that on December 16, Vitalia Polyakova submitted her resignation, which was granted.
According to Leshchyk, this practice is widespread: managers and teachers who are subject to inspections are often given the opportunity to resign without disciplinary action.
Is punishment possible?
The Education Ombudsman draws attention to gaps in the legislation. In particular, the legal field does not define the concept of “immoral act,” which makes it difficult to bring to justice in such cases.
In her opinion, further legal assessment of the director’s actions is possible only within the framework of decisions of the Department of Education or in court.
What is known so far
Despite her dismissal, Vitalia Polyakova is still listed as the director of Lyceum #109 on the official website. Her specialty is also listed there – mathematics and computer science.
At the same time, it is known that she continues to work at the H.S. Kostiuk Institute of Psychology of the National Academy of Pedagogical Sciences of Ukraine, where she holds the position of senior researcher.
We would like to remind you that the director of the capital’s lyceum #109, Vitalia Polyakova, in an interview with
