The issue of language in schools is again on the agenda: the position of MPs Natalia Pipa and Maksym Buzhansky differs

Active discussion of the language issue in the field of education continues in Ukraine. It became especially relevant after the registration of draft law No. 12086 in the Verkhovna Rada, initiated by People’s Deputy Nataliya Pipa. The document is aimed at creating a full-fledged Ukrainian-speaking environment in schools, not only during lessons, but also during breaks, stadiums, canteens and throughout the territory of educational institutions.

Bill No. 12086: what is proposed to be changed

The document proposes to introduce the concept of “Ukrainian-speaking environment” into the Law “On Education” and oblige the management of educational institutions to create and maintain such an environment throughout the territory of schools.

It should be noted that the draft law does not provide for punishment for children for using another language. Instead, teachers and school management will be able to conduct explanatory and educational activities, encourage students to speak Ukrainian and make comments when they hear the Russian language in communication.

According to the draft law, teachers will not be able to switch to Russian not only during lessons, but also during breaks, in canteens, on sports grounds or in the school yard. They will have the right to call for the use of the state language, conduct informational events and make comments on the use of another language.

The document also proposes to involve parents in the formation of the Ukrainian-speaking environment, who should contribute to the development of the language environment in schools.

At the same time, draft law No. 12086 takes into account the rights of national minorities and defines a number of situations in which the use of other languages ​​will not be considered a violation:

• teaching in the languages ​​of national minorities, which are official languages ​​of the EU or indigenous peoples;
• learning English and other languages ​​of international communication;
• teaching several subjects in two or more languages ​​(state, English or other official languages ​​of the EU);
• freedom to choose the language of the educational process in private institutions (except “the language of the aggressor or occupying state”).

Natalie Pipa’s position

People’s deputy Natalia Pipa convinced, that the issue of language is not just a formality, but an important element of identity formation and support of the state language. She emphasized that despite the existence of legislative norms that oblige to provide educational services in Ukrainian, in practice, children and teachers often switch to the Russian language outside of lessons. Pipa believes that this creates a certain linguistic divide, which harms the quality of education and the formation of national consciousness.

“We obliged all schools to provide educational services in the Ukrainian language, but the problem is that when leaving the lesson, children, and sometimes even teachers, switch to Russian. To change this, I am registering a draft law that obliges to speak Ukrainian at recess, in the school yard, in the stadium and on the entire school territory.

It is very important that the use of the Ukrainian language does not end with 45 minutes of the lesson. No one will punish children or quarrel, this is the wrong approach to the issue. But we have to get rid of this conditional rule in the heads of educators, students and parents: “The bell has rung – you can use any language (and we understand that this one is Russian for some reason)”. Pipa commented on her legislative initiative.

As the initiator of the draft law notes, according to the monitoring results of 2023-2024, only 41% of students communicate with each other exclusively in Ukrainian, even during breaks. According to Pipa, this situation creates additional difficulties for children trying to master the Ukrainian language.

“Children who do not know Ukrainian well already in the first grade have difficulties in school, fall behind in reading, learn the material worse. Later, they have worse results on tests, external examinations/NMT and have worse opportunities for admission and work in the future. Of course, there is a problem that in some families parents and children speak Russian. I encourage such parents to communicate with their children in Ukrainian.” Pipa said.

In addition to educational difficulties, according to the initiator, the draft law is designed to minimize cases of bullying and pressure on Ukrainian-speaking children. The creation of a single language environment should become a mechanism that will ensure comfortable learning for every student.

Comment by Maksym Buzhanskyi

At the same time, there was a reaction from People’s Deputy Maksym Buzhansky, who commented the initiative, questioning its expediency. He sharply criticized Natalia Pipa’s draft law, which provides for the creation of a Ukrainian-speaking environment in schools. In his comments, he focused on the unacceptability of this initiative in wartime conditions and accused Natalya Pipa of trying to create additional pressure on children.

Buzhansky noted that at a time when shelling continues in Dnipro for the second night in a row, residential buildings, industrial facilities are burning, and people’s lives are being disrupted, MP Pipa should come to the city, walk around the sites of the attacks and explain to local residents why the most important thing for them is that their children do not speak their native language during breaks at school. He also mentioned Pipa’s husband, who, according to him, is “hiding from mobilization in Lviv”, and ironically asked in what language he was doing it.

Buzhansky drew the attention of journalists who write that Ukraine is allegedly proposing to ban communication between schoolchildren in Russian or Crimean Tatar languages ​​during breaks. He noted that this is a false statement, since the “pips” do not propose to ban, but instead “to mock schoolchildren and bully them.”

According to Buzhanskyi, if the draft law had indeed provided for a ban, it should have included responsibility for its violation — for example, fines for parents or a suspended sentence. However, since the draft law does not provide for any responsibility, Buzhansky believes that its main purpose is “harassment of schoolchildren.”

The deputy also quipped that this practice deserves a separate name, proposing the term “Pipism” — “Pipism of first-graders based on language.” Thus, he criticized the initiative as inappropriate and harmful, aimed at pressuring and discriminating against children.