Not aid, but additional expenses: Chernihiv has increased the cost of meals in kindergartens and schools

During the long full-scale war, Ukrainian society gets used to the idea that the survival of the family is its personal responsibility. After the loss of a job, evacuation, mobilization of one or both parents, the stay of children in schools and kindergartens often becomes another burden. Against the background of reduced benefits, decreasing real incomes, rising prices for food, medicine, and housing rent, parents are forced to decide on their own how to make ends meet.

How much will a child’s meals in kindergarten cost from September 1

An illustrative example is decision of the Chernihiv City Council dated July 24, 2025, which approved new tariffs for meals for children in preschool and general secondary education institutions. From September 1, the cost of meals for children in schools and kindergartens will increase. Despite the availability of benefits for certain categories, the majority of parents will again receive figures in payments that are difficult to get used to.

In communal kindergartens in Chernihiv, the cost of meals will be determined according to the type of group:

– for young children (up to three years old) — up to 80 hryvnias per day,
– for preschoolers – up to 100 hryvnias,
– for children who are in 24-hour groups – up to 110 hryvnias.

Funding for meals is distributed as follows: 75% is paid by parents, 25% by the community budget. This means that the full cost is only partially covered by the family, but even this portion can be an overwhelming burden for those raising multiple children or earning minimal incomes.

A discount is provided for families with three or more children: parents pay half of the standard amount of their share. However, this is only a partial relief – and it does not cover other vulnerable categories that are not assigned special status.

New prices for schoolchildren

At the same time, in the schools of the city, the new prices are divided by the following age categories:

Breakfasts:

• students of grades 1–4 — up to UAH 67;
• students of grades 5–9 — up to UAH 75;
• students of 10-11 grades — up to 80 hryvnias.

Lunches:

• students of grades 1–4 — up to UAH 70;
• students of grades 5–9 — up to UAH 82;
• students of 10-11 grades — up to UAH 90.

Primary school — grades 1–4 — has the right to a free one-time meal, which is financed by the state budget (70%) and the local budget (30%). But if money does not come from the state budget, these expenses are transferred to the shoulders of families: parents pay 70% of the cost, the city pays only 30%.

Middle and high school students (grades 5–11) generally do not receive any compensation — parents pay for their meals in full, with the exception of those with special needs.

What is provided for children with special needs and in special institutions

There are separate tariffs in Chernihiv school No. 1 and communal educational and rehabilitation center No. 2. Cost of breakfast:

• 1–4 classes — up to UAH 46;
• Grades 5–9 — up to UAH 52;
• Grades 10–12 — up to UAH 55.

Lunch + afternoon tea:

• 1–4 classes — up to UAH 54;
• Grades 5–9 — up to UAH 68;
• Grades 10–12 — up to UAH 75.

Financing also depends on the receipt of state funds: if they are received, meals are paid for in full from the state budget; if not, it is fully covered by the local budget. In this case, the role of local authorities is critical: either they take responsibility or leave parents alone with the costs.

Who will not have to pay

Parents (or persons replacing them) are completely exempt from paying for food in the following cases:

• orphans deprived of parental care;
• children with disabilities, with special educational needs;
• children from large or low-income families (by law);
• children of immigrants;
• children affected by the war;
• children of fallen defenders of Ukraine;
• children from families who are unable to pay for food due to difficult circumstances (by decision of the commission);
• students of special school No. 1 and educational rehabilitation center No. 2;
• children with Chernobyl status.

Formally, the list looks broad. But in practice, many families who don’t fall into these categories are left with the full cost of feeding each child — even as prices rise every year.

Why are prices rising and who is responsible?

Olena Horna, deputy head of the education department of the Chernihiv City Council, explained: the purchase of food products must comply with the norms not only regarding calorie content, but also regarding the full range of products – vegetables, fruits, milk, meat, etc. According to her, the prices of such products have increased significantly over the year, which is confirmed by the State Statistics Service.

The last increase in the cost of food in Chernihiv took place in October 2024. At the same time, the issue of free meals for all students of lower grades was also discussed. Currently, instead of expanding support, we have the opposite trend — rising prices and new financial responsibilities for families.

In a situation where there is a war going on in the country, people are losing their homes, means of livelihood, and in many families one of the parents has either died or is serving, the issue of children’s nutrition in schools and kindergartens cannot be reduced to numbers on tablets. And as long as the state and local authorities shift the responsibility for the child’s survival to the family, it is difficult to talk about recovery, justice or concern for the future.