New Guidelines for Distance Learning in Ukraine
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has updated the regulations for distance learning during wartime.
This information was released on the Ministry's website, as reported by Ukrinform.
«We are referring to orders №1112 (dated August 7, 2024) and №1115 (dated September 8, 2020). These changes are part of the initiative «School Offline», aimed at ensuring quality education for all students, regardless of their location, whether it is a government-controlled area, temporarily occupied territory, or abroad», the announcement stated.
The ministry emphasized that the new regulations are a result of close collaboration with local communities and reflect suggestions received during public discussions. «The approved norms are adapted to the specific needs of frontline and border regions», the ministry asserts.
The changes introduce new requirements for class size: a minimum of 20 students. However, reductions are permitted: down to 10 for schools in temporarily occupied territories, frontline areas, and rural areas; and down to 15 for other cities. These requirements do not apply to special and specialized schools.
Additionally, it is possible to operate without certain parallel classes: a school can continue distance learning even if one or two parallel classes are missing (for example, without the 7th grade).
Moreover, separate classes for the study of Ukrainian studies are being introduced: students learn under a unified educational program within one class.
Children abroad can: learn remotely only in Ukrainian studies (5-8 hours/week) if attending a local school; study entirely remotely if not attending a local school; or choose individual forms such as external studies or homeschooling.
For children in temporarily occupied territories, pedagogical patronage is provided. This means individual teaching with payment to the teacher, even if there are no open classes in the school.
Furthermore, if a child is in an area where combat actions are ongoing or possible, they can continue their education remotely at their original school. There is no need to transfer to another institution for distance learning. However, if there is an opportunity to attend in-person classes with shelter available at the school, that remains a priority.
The Ministry of Education is also creating a reserve for teachers from frontline and affected regions. Teachers who may become unemployed can undergo training while receiving an average salary. This reserve will apply to educators from Dnipropetrovsk, Donetsk, Zaporizhzhia, Luhansk, Sumy, Mykolaiv, Odesa, Kharkiv, Kherson, and Chernihiv regions. The relevant changes to the resolution on the personnel reserve are set to be approved by the government soon.
It is noted that all adapted changes concerning distance learning will be implemented starting September 1, 2025.
As reported, the Cabinet of Ministers allocated 370 million UAH for the establishment of modern educational spaces and STEM laboratories in the regions.
