"For 21 days, Ukraine has been suffering from brutal, ruthless and large-scale military aggression of the Russian Federation. The aggressor's troops are attacking Ukrainian cities, shelling civilians, residential buildings, kindergartens, schools, colleges and universities. To date, more than 400 educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed. And the most horrible thing is that there are losses among the civilian population – children are killed at the hands of the occupiers. As of the morning of March 16, 2022, the occupiers have already killed 103 children," – said Serhii Shkarlet.
The Minister noted that given the difficult circumstances for the education system, today the Ministry has created conditions and opened free access to many online resources for distance and blended learning formats both in Ukraine and abroad; projects on psychological support of children and their parents during martial law were launched; the national electronic platform "All-Ukrainian online school", which contains lessons that correspond to the Ukrainian school curriculum and which is constantly available outside Ukraine, is used in more than 120 countries.
Serhii Shkarlet asked for support and development of this online platform, as well as the provision of special grants to fill it with new materials on various subjects, including psychological support for children during the war.
"I believe that after the war, our children will definitely return to their homes. I know that in many countries there are already programs for integrating children into a new place of education, but taking this opportunity, I appealed to colleagues to create an opportunity for our children to learn the Ukrainian language and history of Ukraine, wherever they may be. This is our culture and a whole generation of our citizens who have the opportunity to learn their native language and history in order to return home and build a new Ukraine," – said Serhii Shkarlet.
At the same time, the urgent issue is to prompt support and meeting of the educational needs of displaced Ukrainian citizens: children, pupils, students. Serhii Shkarlet pointed out that he welcomed the idea of establishing a support group for Ukraine by the EU Ministers of Education.
The Minister also appealed to the EU Council of Ministers with a request to consider the possibility of creating a separate program or fund among the EU countries for the restoration of educational and scientific infrastructure and the functioning of the educational and scientific sector of Ukraine.
Serhii Shkarlet thanked the European counterparts for their unwavering support in the fight against unprecedented aggression by the Russian Federation and asked them to support Ukraine's intention to join the EU and close the sky over Ukraine.
Today's meeting was initiated by the Minister of Education and Religious Affairs of the Hellenic Republic Niki Kerameus, and with the absolute support of the Minister of National Education, Youth and Sports of the French Republic Jean-Michel Blanquer.
On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Science, himself and the entire Ukrainian people, the Minister thanked for the support and steps that have already been taken in the field of education and science.
"I am convinced that in the future, after Ukraine's victory over the occupiers, we will have many joint measures to implement progressive ideas and initiatives. I hope that today's meeting will give a new impetus and strengthen cooperation between our countries to deepen partnership relations, develop new prospects and achieve the best mutually beneficial results," – stressed Serhii Shkarlet.
It should be recalled that an extraordinary meeting of the Sectoral Working Group "Education and Science" was held to form an international coalition in support of Ukrainian education.
