Cabinet defines new rules for schooling during air-raid alerts
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided on the organization of school education during prolonged air-raid alerts. Educational institutions will be able to choose the format of classes independently, and local communities must provide the necessary conditions for a safe educational process.
This was reported on October 15 by Prime Minister of Ukraine Serhiy Koretskyi on his Telegram channel.
According to the government's decision, each school will determine the model of education taking into account the security situation, capacity and equipment of shelters. Classes can be held directly in classrooms, specially equipped shelters, or in a mixed format combining in-person and distance learning.
The authorities paid special attention to the organization of the educational process in schools where existing shelters are insufficient for simultaneous holding of all classes.
In such cases, priority for in-person education will be given to subjects in the mathematical, natural science, language and literature, civic and historical educational fields. Other disciplines may be taught remotely if necessary.
Local communities are tasked with helping schools adapt the educational process to prolonged air-raid alerts. In particular, local self-government bodies should consider the possibility of using additional equipped shelters for conducting classes.
The government also established requirements for school shelters where lessons are planned to be held. They must be suitable for prolonged stay of children and equipped with the necessary conditions for learning.
Such premises must have:
- equipped study places;
- adequate lighting;
- backup power sources;
- internet access;
- appropriate sanitary conditions.
Another requirement concerns the organization of the schedule. Parents must receive information in advance about the format and schedule of their children's studies so that they can plan their day.
To this end, schools need to provide a flexible schedule that will allow the educational process to be adapted to changes in the security situation while maintaining predictability of classes for students and their families.
Control over the implementation of the decision is entrusted to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. The agency will monthly monitor how schools and communities implement new approaches to the organization of education.
At the same time, the head of government emphasized that the safety of students and teachers remains an absolute priority. During an air-raid alert, staying in shelter is mandatory regardless of the chosen format of classes.
Earlier, in September, the Ministry of Education and Science published methodological recommendations providing for the possibility of shortening lesson duration to 30–40 minutes, teaching in two shifts, and switching to distance learning during prolonged alerts and power outages.
The current government decision specifies the organization of classes during prolonged alerts, the responsibilities of communities, requirements for shelters, and the procedure for monitoring by the Ministry of Education and Science.
Source: Serhiy Koretskyi (Telegram), Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.