Draft bill #12086 of October 1, 2024 

Status: sent for review to the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on Education, Science, and Innovations 

Cosponsors: a group of 32 MPs from the Holos, Servant of the People, and European Solidarity factions and the Trust group with Nataliia Pipa as the first signatory 

Who is affected: participants in the educational process 

Summary: 

  • Ukrainian-language educational environment means that students and students will communicate with teachers, parents, and other staff in the school or university solely in the Ukrainian language, both during classes and in any other situations within the premises and territory of the educational establishment 
  • educational establishments will have to create a Ukrainian-language educational environment. However, this rule will not apply if instruction is conducted in the languages of national minorities from EU countries, indigenous peoples, or if the instruction is conducted in English. Private educational institutions will have the right to choose the language of instruction, but not the language of the aggressor state. 

What is right: the bill is intended to promote the use of the Ukrainian language in all areas of the educational process. 

What is wrong: the bill is meaningless and populist. It does not suggest any mechanisms for implementing the regulations regarding the Ukrainian-language educational environment or mechanisms for its enforcement (penalties for violations). Thus, it will be impossible to implement it. Furthermore, such innovations will only provoke more conflicts, so the value of this bill is dubious. 

Alternative solution: to establish effective mechanisms to ensure a Ukrainian-language space in schools. Also, to invest in Ukrainian language courses for adults, children’s groups, and information campaigns regarding the transition to the Ukrainian language for people of different ages and various social groups. 

How to help the legislator: proposals concerning the draft bill can be sent to the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada on Education, Science, and Innovations.