President Volodymyr Zelenskyy believes that the cutback of understaffed schools is not always appropriate, and stresses that the government should suggest possible ways to address this issue.
During a conversation with media representatives in Kherson, the President spoke about visiting a school in the village of Sadove.
"Everyone there is afraid that the education reform introduced earlier stipulates the destruction of such schools. And 128 children study there. I told them that this would never happen - we will not allow it," Volodymyr Zelenskyy said.
The President noted that he plans to hold a meeting with Acting Minister of Education Serhiy Shkarlet to discuss this issue.
"First, the educational moment, and then I would like to set a task for the government to prepare a principled state approach to small towns and villages. It should be a reform of the village," he said.
Director of the secondary school of Sadove and the pedagogical staff of the institution also asked the Head of State not to close small schools.
"There will be no village without a school," they said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy promised the staff of the institution that he will instruct the Acting Minister to work over the issues of small schools and their functioning. At the same time, he asked what to do in a situation when the number of pupils is not greater than or equal to the number of teachers. Teachers agreed that solutions should be found in such situations, but stressed that the approach should be individual in each case and first of all take into account the interests of children, because there are settlements from which it is difficult to get to educational institutions in neighboring villages.
The President and the head of the regional state administration also inspected the classes and checked their readiness for the new school year.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy expressed his belief that this year's first lesson should be dedicated to combating the spread of coronavirus, protection and security measures. "We spoke with the Prime Minister today and we want to suggest that this year's first lesson be devoted to measures against COVID-19. For children to understand how to be protected," the Head of State noted.
