It is important for Ukraine to ensure that citizens from the temporarily occupied territories remain part of Ukrainian society and do not lose their identity under the pressure of forced Russification. Therefore, the state must guarantee equal opportunities for such citizens and protect their rights, including the right to education and employment.
However, the absence of a mechanism for recognising the results of education obtained in the TOT of Ukraine creates a serious social crisis. As a result, citizens who received their education in the temporarily occupied territories do not have equal access to further education and professional development in the government-controlled territory.
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At the end of 2022, I made a recommendation to the Ministry of Education and Science to consider the possibility of regulating this issue in law. In November 2023, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted Law of Ukraine No. 3482-IX. Among other things, it stipulates that persons who resided in the TOT of Ukraine have the right to have their educational results obtained in such territory recognised by the authorised bodies, except in cases specified by the Law.
The procedure for recognising learning outcomes is completed by making one of the following decisions:
- providing recommendations for admission to vocational (vocational-technical) education, professional pre-university or higher education, including with a shorter period of study, according to an individual educational trajectory. This includes studying the Ukrainian language, the history of Ukraine, taking a special course on the consequences of the Russian Federation’s aggression against Ukraine and countering Russian propaganda, and developing general cultural and civic competencies.;
- providing recommendations for qualification certification for the purpose of awarding the appropriate educational and qualification level of vocational (vocational-technical) education. Certification of applicants for the award of an educational and professional degree of a professional junior bachelor, and the award of the appropriate qualification.;
- awarding an educational qualification level of professional (vocational) education or awarding a degree of professional higher education, as well as a relevant professional qualification in cases provided for by law and/or the educational programme.
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After the adoption of Law No. 3482, the Cabinet of Ministers was obliged to develop regulations governing the procedure for the recognition of educational results obtained in the TOT of Ukraine – the Ministry of Education developed a relevant resolution. The draft resolution was then sent to the Office of the Ombudsman of Ukraine for approval. We provided our suggestions and comments, which were taken into account. Currently, the Draft Resolution is at the stage of approval by the Ministry of Finance, after which it will be submitted to the Government.
These are important steps to ensure the educational rights of our citizens. Recognition of learning outcomes will contribute not only to their professional fulfilment, but also to the overall social recovery of the country. We must support those who have suffered from the Russian occupation and facilitate their reintegration, because people are the main value of Ukraine.
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