Ukrainian schoolchildren abroad receive new learning formats adapted to the realities of war
Ukraine’s current educational system has undergone major changes due to the massive emigration of children due to the ongoing war in the country. New opportunities have been created for schoolchildren who find themselves outside of Ukraine to continue their education while maintaining a connection to national culture and education. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has developed three key learning formats that allow children to remain active in education even when they are in another country.
New learning formats for Ukrainian students abroad
The following educational options are available for children who have been forced to leave the country or have been affected by the war:
- Family education (home schooling). This form of education involves independent learning by children with the help of parents or guardians without attending school. It allows parents or guardians to fully control the learning process, ensuring its flexibility. This format is especially popular among those who have the opportunity to provide appropriate conditions for learning at home.
- External form of education. This form allows students to study at their own pace, regardless of the schedule of the host country or Ukrainian school. Students can complete educational programmes externally, preparing for exams or tests according to a pre-agreed plan. This system makes it possible to maintain the Ukrainian educational component while adapting to the individual circumstances of each student.
- Distance learning with a Ukrainian component. This is the most popular and convenient form for many children. It allows children to receive education in Ukrainian schools using remote technologies, regardless of where the student is located. In this way, children can remain in the integrated educational system of Ukraine without losing contact with the national culture and language. Distance learning makes it possible to complete assignments, receive grades and pass tests in a comfortable environment for the student.
The need to choose between programmes
An important feature of the new system is that children abroad must choose which system they want to study under: the Ukrainian system or the educational programme of the country where they temporarily reside. Simultaneous full-time study in both systems is not possible, so families should decide which programme is most suitable for their child in their particular circumstances. This solution avoids overloading students and ensures higher quality education that takes into account the realities of life abroad.
Benefits of the new educational system
The new education system has a number of advantages that make it attractive to Ukrainian families abroad:
- Flexibility in scheduling. Students can coordinate their study schedule with the schedule of schools in the countries where they are staying. This greatly facilitates the learning process, allowing children to use their time and resources more efficiently.
- Preserving national identity. The Ukrainian Institute for Educational Development has prepared special materials to help students maintain a connection with Ukrainian history, culture and language. This is especially important for children who may lose contact with their national culture due to prolonged stays abroad.
- Easy to transfer grades. Clear guidelines have been developed on how to transfer grades from schools in 26 countries to the Ukrainian system. This simplifies the process of integrating children into the Ukrainian educational system upon their return or if they want to continue their education in Ukraine.
- Motivation for teachers. Teachers working with the new teaching formats will receive additional training to improve their skills and teach children more effectively. To motivate teachers, an additional paid workload will be introduced to encourage them to do a better job.
Who is the new system for?
The new educational system is designed for different categories of children:
- Students who are temporarily abroad. These children can use the new learning formats while remaining in contact with the Ukrainian education system.
- Children from the temporarily occupied territories. For those who cannot attend Ukrainian schools due to the occupation, the new system is a way to receive education according to national standards.
- Children studying in foster families or individually. This category of children can take advantage of the new learning formats to maintain contact with Ukrainian education.
- Students who need to compensate for their educational losses. For those who missed a significant part of the learning process due to the war, the new system allows them to quickly catch up and maintain contact with their native culture.
Supporting national identity
The updated educational system places special emphasis on preserving the national identity of students abroad. The inclusion of Ukrainian studies in the curriculum allows children to remain part of the Ukrainian community. Materials on history and culture help students to better understand the national heritage and develop a sense of patriotism even in a foreign country. This is an important factor in preserving the cultural and linguistic unity of Ukrainian children who have found themselves abroad due to the war.
The introduction of new learning formats for Ukrainian schoolchildren abroad is an important step towards preserving national education and supporting children affected by the war. They not only help children stay connected to Ukraine, but also allow them to receive a quality education regardless of their circumstances.
