The scandalous decision of the Minister of Education and Science: does the country need scientists

On June 24, the process of admission to postgraduate studies of all forms of education in higher educational institutions began, the first stage of which is the passing of the EVI (unified entrance exam) in a foreign language. However, the day after it was held, the Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, announced on his Facebook page that it will be possible to enter into a contract for postgraduate study only for correspondence or evening forms of study, which do not give the right to a postponement. At the same time, he deprived full-time post-graduate students of the right to study on a contract basis.

IA “FAKT” found out how deputies, the scientific community and the public reacted to Oksen Lisovoy’s announcement regarding the change in the rules for admission to graduate school in the midst of the admissions campaign.

It has long been a tradition among Ukrainian officials to announce their decisions on social networks. The message on the Facebook page of Oksen Lisovoy about changing the rules for admission to graduate school was no exception, because “too many willing men” expressed their intention to study.  This is how the Ministry of Education and Science (MES) decided to fight “evasion”.

“It’s no secret that in the last two years, the number of male students of draft age who suddenly remembered that they need a second or third higher education, postgraduate or doctoral studies, has grown rapidly. The thirst for knowledge is wonderful. Dummy training – no. Therefore, we are changing the rules for admission to postgraduate studies in 2024.

So, EVI remains. The passing score in the part of ТZNK is 160. And this part is mandatory for admission to the entrance exams of an institution or institution. A foreign language is made up and is mandatory for admission to the master’s program, but NOT mandatory for admission to the postgraduate program. However, we will see and analyze the level of knowledge and the general level.

The next thing is that it will be possible to enter into a contract for postgraduate study only for correspondence or evening forms, which do not give the right to a postponement. The emphasis is on the quality of education, so we prioritize day uniforms. And in order not to cut off the possibility of admission for the real, motivated and capable, we are increasing the number of places on the budget – from 3,200 to 7,000. Now some numbers for the overall picture.

Before the start of the full-scale war, about 7-8 thousand people entered graduate school (both budget and contract) every year. Entered on the basis of exams directly in higher education institutions and scientific institutions. This year, we introduced a mandatory test for admission to postgraduate studies – EVI. It is also composed of future masters. And so, in 2024, a total of 246,189 people registered to complete the EVI. 79% of them are men, among whom almost half apply for admission to graduate school. And to be more specific – 91,561 persons of conscription age. The record of all records.

Of course, I would like science to become so popular in Ukraine one day. Truly. And we are taking steps in this direction. But now such numbers look more like an anomaly. An anomaly that harms the quality of education, the economy (fake learning creates new schemes and millions of dollars in the shadows), and most importantly – national security. The fact that the education system has become such a “hole” for evasion shows the symptoms of its neglect. And that is why we started its comprehensive transformation. Because the quality of education and the values ​​fostered in this system matter. We cannot live in a world of double standards, where some defend freedom, truth, dignity and justice. And others do the opposite and also teach children first. It shouldn’t be like that.

Please inform the law enforcement authorities about all the facts of fictitious training.” – wrote Lisovyi.

Later on the website MON the following message appeared:

“Excessive enthusiasm for postgraduate study among men of draft age prompts the Ministry of Education and Science to change this year’s rules for admission to the third level of higher education. In particular, so that postgraduate study does not turn into a corrupt tool for avoiding mobilization, in 2024 it will be canceled (we left the error in the text of the Ministry of Education and Culture, – ed.) admission to full-time study under a contract and the rules regarding the renewal of postgraduate studies have been adjusted. Admission to graduate school this year will be exclusively state-ordered, while budget places will be doubled to enable all those who actually want to get a PhD (and not just avoid mobilization through graduate school) to do so with full support from the state. Admission to postgraduate study under a contract this year will be possible only in correspondence and evening forms.

Until 2022, 7-8 thousand people entered postgraduate studies every year. For comparison: in 2024, more than 246,000 people signed up for the test for admission to master’s and postgraduate studies. Of them, 91,561 persons are men aged 25-60 who already have a master’s or specialist degree. Such a number clearly indicates that the desire to enter graduate school is not motivated by the desire to conduct research or embark on a scientific or teaching career, but rather by other factors. In addition, there are a number of schemes that illegally offer to secure full-time contract entry for potential graduate students to avoid mobilization.”

How the specialized committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine reacted

The Committee on Education, Science and Innovation of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine condemned the change in the rules for admission to postgraduate studies at the stage when entrants registered for the EVI. Thus, people’s deputy, member of the committee Yuliya Hryshina believes that the Ministry of Education and Culture did not do anything before the start of the introductory campaign to counter evasion, and now with its decision it is provoking an increase in budget expenses.

“The third year of a full-scale invasion. For the third year in a row, the number of men using postgraduate studies to evade conscription is increasing. For the third year already, the Ministry of Education has been able to:

• Make it impossible for universities to recruit graduate students in excess of the licensed volume – but no.
• Reduce the licensed volume of postgraduate training – but no.
• Check all the universities and punish those who sell admission and studies in graduate school – but no.
• It was time to change the Admission Rules – but no.

A lot more could have been done – but no!

You can simply change the order of admission when people are already taking the exams. And to more than double the number of state order places. Because there are extra funds in a warring country. And to cancel full-time contract training.” – Grishina wrote Facebook.

Reaction of Ukrainians to Lisovoy’s decision

Lsovoi’s innovations are actively commented on in social networks, especially the fact that they were adopted at the height of the introductory campaign. Here are the most vivid comments under Lisovoy’s post on Facebook, of which more than 1,087 have already been collected:

Dasha Dovbenko:

“Wait. Is it okay that part of the applicants passed the exam already today? Is this normal according to you??? Registration lasted a month, then there was a month before the exam – you didn’t know how many entrants you had??? Do you have a headache? The right to education is guaranteed by the Constitution for everyone, regardless of age, gender, race, religion, etc. Once again, you put your trust in her, you know what. What rights are we fighting for? What do people die for?

In addition, you want the budget to be filled somehow. At the same time, you take away any possibilities of filling. Your business is already in the shadows, there are not enough people in official jobs, and those who work are on envelopes, you raise taxes, smart people. Are people with academic degrees doing this? And what is the term “long-term perspective”? And if people don’t pay taxes now, then no one will pay even higher taxes? And what will we feed the pensioners, friends? At whose expense, yours? They already have 3,000 each, which is not enough for anything, and now they will not be there either, because there will be no money in the budget. Even if many wanted to pay for the deferral in this way, through graduate school – then why are you cutting down the branch on which you are sitting? They would pay both 30,000 and 80,000, depending on the possibilities. That is, wait, you think that you just introduced the norms and who wanted to get a postponement in this way will immediately say “oh, yes, it’s not possible anymore?” Well, I will go to war.” Are you not funny? Theater of the Absurd. You are not interested in the budget, nor in intelligent people, nor in peace. Then you will have only women and cripples, you will cry that there is no one to rebuild. Because those who survive and have a mind – will immediately leave and whistle in the back. You will have some fools who will work for a dollar an hour as star workers. I caught myself thinking that from 2022 to now I have gone from absolute love for the country to sincere hatred. And only you are to blame for this. Succeed in your graduate studies.”

Dasha Ageeva:

“The day before the exams, do you change the rules for admission? Are you even in your right mind? Why are you providing this information NOW? About the same English, which will NOT necessarily appear, but people were preparing, spending their time and nerves. And what kind of future do you want in such a country if you restrict people’s rights to education?”

Oleksiy Kostyuchyk:

“The documents were submitted for admission to graduate school a month ago, 2 weeks ago you changed the passing score from 130 to 150, today you increase the passing score and cancel the full-time paid form. I emphasize that you did this after all the documents were submitted and tomorrow I have an EV exam for which I have been preparing for a month. I am sure that you should be responsible for these illegal decisions! Shame on you.”

Dmytro Bezugliy:

“I’m not entering anywhere, but the phrase about double standards triggered me) is it really the applicants who are guilty of injustice in the world?) they use the legal right, they don’t buy themselves a disability or armor from some security company.”

Roman Sergienko:

“I wonder… How much more can we talk about this??? If I don’t know what control measures exist for graduate students, etc., I am ready to provide a free consultation on this issue! The fact that there is a conspiracy of a group of officials (the record of the Committee meeting) with the aim of depriving the right to education, enshrined in the Constitution, is a fact! If Mon tries to “shove” his absurd ideas with a caustic for graduate students, I write for the millionth time!!! Don’t embarrass yourself!!! You have already read those laws, the National People’s Congress, etc…. And read the CCU from the Communist Party of Ukraine too!!! Do not humiliate Ukraine!!! Do not turn it into a WRONG, NON-EUROPEAN STATE!!! ENOUGH!!!! …READ THE LAWS!!!”.

Bozena Lemberg:

“It would be good, in order to avoid double standards, for the Minister of Education himself to pass the ZNO, NMT, EVI and share the results.

You can also order to take it to the company, so it won’t be boring.

Yes, and without the possibility to escape from plagiarism and refuse the scientific degree of candidate of sciences.”

Anna Bondarchuk:

“Mr. Oxen Lisovyi!

I completed the EVI today, 06/24/2024, and it started at 3:00 p.m. She left the auditorium at 5:15 p.m. And more than an hour later, your post appears.

I note that I focused on the law in force at that time, where the passing score is 150.

1. Why are you changing the admission rules when some people have already passed the exam?
2. Do you have the right to change the law as you like?”.

Iryna Chorna:

“It is not appropriate for the Minister of Education to speak so disparagingly about the education system. Surely you have heard about the principle of presumption of innocence? Who gave the right to accuse people so unceremoniously, without appeal?! You should protect education, science, and not shame it.

Regarding the change of admission rules. There has never been such a mess under any Minister of Education. June! This flow of painful fantasies will finally stop.”

Tatiana Gvozd:

“Mr. Minister Oksen Lisovyi, what will universities do when children go to study abroad en masse? Who will be taught what will be waiting for us in 5-10 years? Children under stress, without normal education since the days of covid, under the constant sounds of air alarms are trying to study and not lose the remnants of motivation. How did the state support children today? Not at all… Four-hour NMT from four subjects, and the profile is the last. It is generally unknown who took the math test and how it happened that children en masse cannot score the minimum points, or score close to the minimum. Not every adult can withstand such a load. In additional support for children from the state, the Ukrainian Center for the Quality of Education lists tables for the transfer of points in the downward direction. Cancellation of regional coefficients for most regions. And, of course, the famous minimum 150 points for a number of professions. As a result, the outflow of young people abroad, who will not return, lack of selection in universities, a decrease in the level of education. Perhaps it is still worth reviewing the requirements before the start of the admissions campaign and supporting children in their desire to get a profession – not the second, not the third, but the FIRST!

Zoya Chinovataya:

“Publicize the order, the legal basis for making changes during the introductory company. Admission rules were approved in March 2024. Your post is not a basis for your proposed actions. Bring clarity and don’t expose people to a social explosion.”

Zoryana Zaidalieva:

“You write so much about justice, but is it fair for the mother of a minister who was caught plagiarizing? You should have retired a long time ago!”.

Maxim Beschastny:

“This is evidence of another government circus and its unprofessionalism. It is probably advisable for the Minister of Education to resign. There was no systematization in the field of education, decisions are made in a hurry, they are vacillating in different directions. Mr. Minister, you better cancel yourself.”

Vitaly Berehuta:

“Mr. Oksen, for two years, the Ministry of Education, Culture and Science of Ukraine gave 12 months of the year to the Higher Education Institution the opportunity to enroll postgraduate students, and now you claim that there are a large number of them? The MES allowed this situation, and the graduates of 2024 remained guilty. What did post-graduate contract students fight for in the winter of 2024 – for the right to deferment for post-graduate contract students. And now he is being taken away again? On August 31, the MES will set the passing EVI at 199 points? How many more times will the admission rules be changed not just during the admissions campaign, but after the entrance exams begin?”.

These and many other comments have hundreds of likes, showing the support of the commenters. In addition, an excessive number of comments contain more outrageous statements and even obscene words.

This is evidenced by the decision of the Minister of Education regarding changes to the rules for admission to postgraduate studies

First of all, about his unprofessionalism and ignorance of current legislation. Article 53 of the Constitution of Ukraine emphasizes: “Everyone has the right to education.” So, the minister is now depriving Ukrainians of their constitutional right. In addition, the new law on mobilization defines the right to deferment for post-graduate students on contract.

Also, in accordance with Article 6 of the Law of Ukraine “On Education”, changes to the rules of admission to higher educational institutions must be approved no later than six months before the start of the admissions campaign. This provision of the law was violated. At the same time, Article 44 of the Law of Ukraine “On Higher Education” specifies that the rules for admission to postgraduate studies must be made public no later than three months before the start of the admissions campaign. Failure to comply with this deadline is a direct violation of the law. That is, Oksen Lisovyi’s decision grossly violates the norms of the current legislation.

Lisovyi, who was accused of plagiarism, was forced to give up the degree of candidate of sciences. Paradoxically, despite this, he remained in office and continues to lead education and science. Probably, it was the fact that he is not a candidate of sciences that prompted him to leave the opportunity for Ukrainian youth to acquire an education and become scientists. “Brain drain” has been taking place in our state for many years, and this decision will continue this process at an accelerated pace.

Undoubtedly, it is necessary to protect the country, as well as to look for a mobilization resource. However, not by such poor and unreasonable methods. Why did the minister make a decision right at the height of the admissions campaign, and not when all the statistics with the number of admissions were at home long before that day? Where is the official order to change the rules of admission to graduate school? It is not there, because the MES understands that the publication of an official document will be a reason to challenge it in court.

Oksen Lisovoy’s decision to change the rules for admission to graduate school at the time of the start of the admissions campaign caused a significant resonance in the scientific community of Ukraine. Scholars believe that this decision is open to criticism for many reasons. In particular, for its illegality and potential negative consequences for young scientists and the development of the scientific sphere in Ukraine.

Also, changing the rules at the start of the admissions campaign creates uncertainty and stress for potential graduate students. Young people who were preparing for admission according to the old rules found themselves in a situation where they need to quickly adapt to the new requirements. In addition, making such an important decision without prior discussion with the scientific and educational community is a violation of the principle of openness and transparency in education management. Taking into account the opinions of interested parties is necessary for making balanced and effective decisions.

Consequences for the country

If young people are not able to go to graduate school because of unexpected rule changes, this will lead to fewer academics. Which, in turn, will negatively affect the development of science and innovation in Ukraine.

The uncertainty and unpredictability of the education system can encourage young people to seek opportunities abroad. The loss of talented young people who could make scientific discoveries in Ukraine will be a significant blow to national science.

The lack of young scientists will affect the quality of education in higher educational institutions. Without adequate training and new research, the academic community risks losing competitiveness at the international level.