On the Day of Knowledge, President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyy spoke to Ukrainian students and educators via video conference and congratulated them on the start of the new school year.
Almost 40 educational institutions from 23 regions of Ukraine and from abroad joined the online conversation with the Head of State. In particular, these are schools from the frontline regions, educational institutions that have accepted displaced students, a school from the city of Bakhmut that works in an extraordinary remote format, and institutions in Istanbul, Vilnius, Warsaw, and Munich where Ukrainian children study.
The President noted that today all Ukrainian schools operate in different conditions, and due to the full-scale war, everyone has a different September 1. He noted that almost 13 thousand schools started working today, where more than 3 million 700 thousand pupils will receive knowledge.
"It used to be so commonplace that we didn't even think about appreciating it. Now we all realize this. Almost a million Ukrainian children will still study online. Almost a million more will study in a mixed format. Most of them are in Ukraine. But we do not forget a single Ukrainian child, a single boy, a single girl, no matter where you are now and no matter what your September 1 is today. We are all Ukrainians," Volodymyr Zelenskyy emphasized.
During the conversation with the pupils, the Head of State expressed confidence that Ukrainian education must be modern and compete with the education of Western countries.
"Today it is no secret that when our families went abroad and Ukrainian children went to school, everyone recognized our children. All teachers in different schools around the world really emphasize that the level of knowledge and education of our children is not lower, and even in some countries higher, than that of children from other countries. They are smart children, they study, they know a lot, they can think very quickly. They learn languages and in two or three months they speak the language of the country where they are currently staying," he said.
At the same time, the President emphasized that Ukraine is waiting for the return of all our families and children.
"The most important thing is that we must make our education modern. I think we are doing it now," the Head of State said.
Volodymyr Zelenskyy thanked the heads and educators of educational institutions in the frontline regions who are doing a great heroic work, as well as the brave children who study in these schools and their parents.
The President wished Ukrainian students and educators that this academic year would be successful and safe, and that the state would do everything possible to return maximum security to all corners of our country as soon as possible.
"Please, if there is an air raid alert, pay attention to it and use shelters. Take care of each other. And remember that even the biggest dreams can come true if you really try, if you really work for your dream and if you are supported," the Head of State emphasized.
