Yatsenko: Closing rural schools starting in 2026 without adequate transportation infrastructure will pose serious risks to children
18 May 14:04
Starting September 1, 2026, Ukraine plans to close rural schools with fewer than 60 students.
In an interview with the YouTube channel "Komersant Ukrainian", MP Anton Yatsenko stated that he generally supports the process of optimizing the network of rural schools, but highlighted important issues that, if left unresolved, could cause harm.
“If you close schools, you must ensure paved roads, safe school buses, and a reliable schedule for their operation,” the MP noted.
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Yatsenko also said that he had submitted relevant inquiries to the Ministry of Education. In response, the MP was informed that the issue of school closures officially falls under the jurisdiction of local authorities.
“I received responses to my parliamentary inquiries stating that school closures fall under the jurisdiction of local authorities. Once again, the Ministry of Education has simply washed its hands of the matter,” he emphasized.
Separately, the MP drew attention to the creation of the position of education ombudsman with vaguely defined powers, which, in his opinion, does not address the core of the problem.
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