Ukrainians are afraid of closing schools in their communities: petition has already gained thousands of signatures
9 April 20:55
The electronic petition “On the preservation of the school network,” whose author is convinced that the school reform from the Verkhovna Rada will destroy schools operating on the basis of territorial communities during the war, has gained more than 23 thousand votes in just a few days. This is reported by "Komersant Ukrainian" with reference to the website of the Electronic Petitions of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The petition states that in the current circumstances, reforming the education system should take into account not only economic calculations but also social, legal, and humanitarian factors. Ukraine cannot afford to destroy what is the foundation of its future – accessible, high-quality and safe education for all children, regardless of where they live.
School reform in time of war: what threatens education in communities and why it is being resisted
The Verkhovna Rada has once again intensified discussions on changes to the legislation on secondary education. The Committee on Education supported the revised draft law No. 13120, which provides for new conditions for the formation of a school network, including lyceums. According to the document, lyceums will be able to receive state funding only if there are at least 24 students in each of the three high school classes, and at least four classes in the parallel. Thus, starting in 2027, at least 288 students should be enrolled in a lyceum high school.
Community criticism: risk of losing access to education at the place of residence
Educators and local government representatives call such conditions unrealistic, especially for rural and small urban communities. If the requirements are not met, funding for the lyceum from the state budget is terminated, and the costs are borne solely by the community. Under the current conditions of limited resources, martial law, and depopulation, most communities do not have the financial capacity to maintain full-fledged lyceums on their own. This means that many children from remote settlements will have to travel tens of kilometers to school every day, or will be left without the opportunity to complete their secondary education.
Not only accessibility but also quality is at risk
In addition to logistical challenges (road conditions, insufficient number of school buses, lack of shelters along the routes), there is the issue of the quality of the educational process. Psychologists and educators warn that for children, especially those who have already suffered from the war, frequent changes of schools, long journeys, and adaptation to new teachers and teams can have a negative impact on their emotional state and learning motivation.
Distance learning: new restrictions and violations of rights
Another aspect of education policy in times of war is distance learning. In August and September 2024, the Ministry of Education issued Orders No. 1112 and No. 1276, which set new requirements for distance learning. In particular, a distance class can be opened only if there are at least 20 students in one year of study. If the number is less, the child loses the right to study at the chosen institution, and the school itself may be closed due to non-compliance with formal criteria. This is contrary to the current law, which allows classes to be formed with as few as 5 students.
In this situation, internally displaced persons, children from the border and occupied territories, as well as those who have moved abroad but want to maintain ties with the Ukrainian education system, are particularly vulnerable. Instead of the flexibility that distance learning is supposed to provide, the new rules create additional barriers.
A threat to educators and communities
All of this is happening against the backdrop of a general shortage of teaching staff and a decline in the attractiveness of the profession in the face of uncertainty. School closures will inevitably lead to job losses for teachers. Along with job losses, educators and their families are increasingly deciding to move abroad. As a result, the demographic situation in communities is deteriorating, and settlements where schools are disappearing are gradually falling into decline.
Educational transformation in time of war: is it timely?
Experts and education activists are calling for the suspension of the implementation of bills that provide for large-scale changes in the school network, at least until martial law is lifted. They insist on the need to preserve school infrastructure, protect children’s right to education in their place of residence, and respect the principle of legal certainty enshrined in the Constitution.
Читайте нас у Telegram: головні новини коротко
