Students in the temporarily occupied territories can receive education in the format of pedagogical patronage
Education has always played a key role in the development of society, and access to knowledge is the foundation for the future of every nation. However, in times of war and occupation, this access becomes limited and poses significant challenges. In the conditions of Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine, more than 44,000 schoolchildren in the temporarily occupied territories face difficulties in continuing their education according to Ukrainian standards. Responding to these challenges, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES) developed a model of pedagogical patronage — an individual form of education that allows children under occupation to continue their education without leaving their Ukrainian identity.
General challenges of Ukrainian education in the occupied territories
The occupation of the territories caused serious obstacles for Ukrainian educational institutions. School closures, the inability to ensure the safety of students and teachers, as well as the lack of infrastructure for face-to-face classes have forced the government to look for alternatives. According to estimates, more than 44,000 Ukrainian schoolchildren in these territories need new forms of education that would be adapted to the difficult conditions of the war.
The traditional system of education in the conditions of occupation stopped working, which led to the search for new, flexible and individual solutions to ensure the educational process. MES, realizing the need to support schoolchildren, implemented pedagogical patronage as an effective model of distance learning.
What is pedagogical patronage and how does it work
Pedagogical patronage is a special form of individual training, which involves the work of a teacher with a student according to an individual curriculum. This decision was developed in accordance with the strategy of the Ministry of Education and Science regarding the gradual return of children to full-time education within the framework of the “School Offline” program, which is aimed at restoring the educational process after the occupation.
The main idea of pedagogical patronage is to provide personalized education for every student who is in the temporarily occupied territories. A specific teacher is assigned to the child, who develops an individual study plan together with the student. This allows to ensure not only academic progress, but also psychological support during this difficult time. Thanks to this model, students have the opportunity to study according to a schedule that takes into account their personal needs and capabilities.
Basic aspects of pedagogical patronage
The Ministry of Education and Culture of the Russian Academy of Sciences regulated in detail the number of hours of study within the framework of pedagogical patronage, taking into account the level of education of the child:
- Primary school (grades 1-4) — 5 hours of classes per week.
- Basic school (grades 5-9) — 8 hours a week.
- Senior school (grades 10-11) — 12 hours per week.
This approach provides the minimum necessary volume of classes, which allows students to learn the main educational programs and support the educational process even in difficult conditions. It is important that the student and the teacher have the opportunity to work according to a flexible schedule that they agree with each other.
Training can be started at any stage of the academic year – both at its beginning and during the educational process. This allows you to quickly adapt to changing circumstances and guarantees the continuity of training.
Advantages of pedagogical patronage
- Individual approach. Each student is assigned a teacher who develops a personal study plan according to the interests, needs and capabilities of the child. This approach allows you to avoid stress associated with excessive workload and support schoolchildren in difficult circumstances.
- Support of Ukrainian education. Pedagogical patronage provides the opportunity to study according to the Ukrainian curriculum even in the most difficult conditions, which is important for preserving the national identity of children from the occupied territories.
- Flexibility. With the ability to adapt the schedule and lesson plan, students have more freedom in choosing the time to study, which allows them to balance between studies and other life circumstances.
- Help for teachers. Teachers who work according to the model of pedagogical patronage receive an additional payment according to the number of individual lessons. This motivates teachers to take an active part in supporting children who are in difficult conditions.
Other formats of education for students from the occupied territories
In addition to pedagogical patronage, students in the temporarily occupied territories have the opportunity to study in remote classes. If such classes continue, children can remain in their schools and attend classes online. Otherwise, students can transfer to another educational institution within their region, which works in a distance format.
This option allows children to stay connected to their education even when their home school cannot function due to occupation or hostilities. For many, this is an opportunity to continue their education without interruption, which is extremely important for their development and future.
The value of pedagogical patronage for students from the occupied territories
Pedagogical patronage is more than just an educational form. It is a symbol of resilience and desire of Ukrainian children to continue their studies even in the most difficult conditions. In conditions where more than 44,000 schoolchildren are forced to study in the territories temporarily occupied by the Russian troops, pedagogical patronage becomes an important tool for supporting the Ukrainian education system.
Thanks to this model, students have the opportunity to remain part of the Ukrainian educational community, maintain a connection with the culture and language, and continue to acquire the knowledge necessary for their future. It is also an important step to ensure the unity of the country through education, which has always been and remains an important component of national identity.
