The Verkhovna Rada’s Committee on Education, Science and Innovation recommended stopping the production and awarding of state-style gold and silver medals in schools at the expense of the state budget. The members of the committee believe that it is inappropriate to spend taxpayers’ money on this.
The head of the committee, Serhiy Babak, emphasized that schools will be able to continue awarding such medals to their graduates, but without funding from the state.
“We are not canceling gold and silver medals. Schools can continue to honor their best graduates with medals. We consider it inappropriate to spend millions of taxpayers’ hryvnias on the centralized production of medals. We are sure that the founders of schools (territorial communities) will be able to afford the production of medals for their best graduates. if they want”, – he explained.
He also noted that in 2024, the production of medals cost the state budget 2.9 million hryvnias, and for 2025 it is planned to spend 5.6 million hryvnias, according to the budget request of the Ministry of Education and Science.
Reaction to the decision
The decision caused a certain resonance among educators and the public. Supporters say eliminating state funding for the medals is a necessary step amid budget deficits and cost-cutting measures, while noting that schools will be able to continue awarding their graduates if they find alternative sources of funding.
However, there are also critics who believe that such a change may negatively affect the motivation of students and the status of the schools themselves, because for many, the awarding of medals remains an important part of the graduation ceremony and emphasizes students’ academic achievements.
