Taking into account the large number of requests from educators and founders of educational institutions, U-LEAD with Europe held an info session on “Handling the End of the School Year”. U-LEAD expert in education, Serhii Diatlenko, worked closely with municipalities.
The speaker reminded the participants about the main laws and regulations that apply to the end of the academic year and the powers of the founders of educational institutions in this process. In particular, the following topics were covered:
- Procedure for enrolling, expelling and transferring students to state and municipal educational institutions to obtain a full general secondary education as per Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 36 dated 16 April 2018;
- Certain organisational issues of obtaining general secondary education and the educational process under martial law in Ukraine as per Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 274 dated 28 March 2022;
- Guidelines on certain issues of obtaining education in general secondary education institutions under martial law in Ukraine as per Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine No. 263 dated 15 May 2023.
Duration of the educational process
Serhii Diatlenko stated:
“The academic year 2023/24 lasts from September 1 to June 28, and the educational process is determined by the school curriculum. Note that the rule of 175 academic days has been cancelled. It is essential to ensure the 35 weeks of study, which is how the curriculum is designed, so that the school does not cause any educational damages.”
According to the expert, each school decides independently whether to celebrate the last day of school or when students go on vacation.
Return of students and homeroom capacities
If the children return to the municipality, all students should be enrolled in the schools they attended before the displacement if these educational institutions are open. Otherwise, children should be enrolled in another educational institution upon the application of a parent.
From 1 September 2024, no more than 24 students can be enrolled per homeroom. According to Serhii Diatlenka, this number of children is required to improve the quality of primary education.
“If there is one school in the village and there will be 25 or 27 firsties, you don’t need to split the year into two. After all, there are risks that some students will move away or other challenges. Until there are more than 28 students in year 1, there is no need to set up two homerooms.”
He also added that the rule of “24 students per homeroom” currently applies only to the firsties. You do not need to reformat all years to comply with it. The rule comes into force gradually.
Powers of a local self-government body as a founder
Local self-government bodies must define the service area of each educational institution and publish a decision on this. They must also determine the date of acceptance of school entrance forms (to be accepted until May 31) and control the process of enrolling students in schools.
State Final Examination and keeping educational damage to a minimum
Students who complete each level of full general secondary education in the 2023/2024 academic year are exempt from passing the State Final Examination. According to the expert, this decision is damaging to the quality of education, since it is impossible to assess the provision of educational services in the municipality and educational institutions.
It is important to be conscious of educational damage. For different municipalities, June might go differently, focusing on learning, summer vacation or voluntary catch-up classes.
“If the educational process was rather ‘broken’, with many interruptions, it might be worth extending it for the necessary duration to catch up. The decision is made by the Pedagogical Council by amending the curriculum with their decision on extending the educational process. Do consider the mental state of students. Are they able to continue their education?” said Mr Diatlenko.
He further stressed the importance of communication with parents, who need to be explained why it is necessary to continue studying or to attend voluntary events to catch up.
The speaker presented the steps for mitigating educational and psychological damage.
In addition, the participants of the info session received answers to personnel-related questions regarding staffing schedules, tariffs and leave. They also learned about the practices of the education management body at the end of the school year, including preliminary tariff structure, rehabilitation and registration of persons liable to conscription for military service in educational institutions. Olena Kres, Head of the Education Department of the Semenivka City Council of the Chernihiv Oblast, shared her experience with her colleagues.