The war unleashed by Russia forced many Ukrainians to leave their homes and move to safer regions of the country. Internally displaced persons (IDPs) include many school-age children who must continue their education. An important question arises: can children of IDPs be denied enrollment in school due to lack of places?
If you have submitted an IDP certificate that confirms your place of residence in a certain territory, they cannot refuse to enroll your child in school. The child must be enrolled as a priority in the “first wave” by June 1 of the respective year. This means that the school is obliged to accept the child and create all the necessary conditions for his education.
The legislation of Ukraine places the duty of organization of the enrollment process on the head of the educational institution. School leaders have the right to make changes to the organization of the educational process, to open additional classes to ensure that all children have the opportunity to study. This provision is regulated by Section II of the Procedure for Enrollment, Deduction and Transfer of Students to State and Communal Educational Institutions for Complete General Secondary Education, approved by Order of the Ministry of Education, Culture and Sports No. 367 of April 16, 2018.
What to do if there are no places at the school?
In the event that parents or guardians wish to place their child in a school outside their place of residence, but there are no places at that school, there may be a need to draw lots for available places. This is a procedure used to fairly distribute places in a school when their number is limited.
The educational process in the conditions of war
The war also affected the organization of the educational process in Ukraine. Many schools located in high-risk areas have implemented online learning. This decision was taken to ensure the safety of children and teachers, but at the same time it requires adaptation from all participants in the educational process.
With the approach of the winter period, additional changes in the organization of training are possible to ensure the safety and quality of education even in war conditions.
Therefore, the children of immigrants have the right to education, and the legislation of Ukraine guarantees their priority enrollment in schools. Despite all the challenges, the education system is trying to adapt to new realities and ensure equal access to education for all children, including those who were forced to leave their homes because of the war.
