Statement on the need to adopt the Procedures for the recognition of learning outcomes obtained by children and youth who have moved from temporarily occupied territories

The educational sector in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine (hereinafter – TOT) is a target of the occupation authorities. The Russian Federation is trying to resume the work of educational institutions at any cost, as if to confirm that life in the occupied territories is normalising. However, the reopening of educational institutions is based on Russian educational standards, which is against international humanitarian law. Accordingly, the documents certifying the level of education received by Ukrainian citizens in the TOT are of the Russian standard. These documents, as well as other documents issued by the occupation authorities, are subject to the principle of complete non-recognition by Ukraine.

A year ago, on November 21, 2023, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine amended the Law of Ukraine “On Education” to provide for the right of persons who resided in the TOT to recognise the results of education obtained in these territories. The procedure for the recognition of educational competences should be carried out in accordance with the procedure determined by the Ministry of Education and Science for general secondary education and determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine for vocational (vocational and technical), professional pre-higher and higher education. These changes were supported by representatives of non-governmental organisations working to overcome the consequences of the war. 

Recognition of learning outcomes creates an opportunity for children from TOT to receive Ukrainian education, and for youth, in addition to the possibility of continuing their education, it also provides access to the Ukrainian labour market, which is crucial in the context of a staff shortage. But more importantly, it gives children and youth from TOT a chance to leave the Russian-occupied territories of Ukraine and to find self-realisation in government-controlled territory.

Unfortunately, a year after the adoption of the long-awaited amendments to the Law, the procedures for the recognition of learning outcomes obtained in TOT have not been approved. This means that the law is not in force.

We, the representatives of organisations working to protect the rights of victims of the armed aggression against Ukraine, believe that the issue of creating conditions for the continuation of education and employment of youth from the TOT should become part of the state youth policy and reintegration policy. In our daily work, we see that it is important for youth who were forced to stay in the TOT of Ukraine to live and study in the government-controlled territory. For many of them, this is the first conscious choice in their lives, and we must provide them with comprehensive support. Failure to adopt the procedures that were supposed to create even more opportunities for children and youth to leave the TOT during the year undermines the state reintegration policy that has been built over the years by the state and civil society of Ukraine.

On the anniversary of the adoption of the Law, which was supposed to create conditions for the recognition of learning outcomes obtained in the TOT, we call for the immediate full implementation of this Law. 

The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine should approve the Procedure for Recognition of Learning Outcomes at the Levels of Vocational (Vocational and Technical), Professional Pre-Higher and Higher Education in accordance with the final provisions of Law of Ukraine No. 3482-IX.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine should approve a unified procedure for the recognition of learning outcomes at the levels of basic and complete general secondary education.

We are convinced that children and youth who ended up in the TOT as a result of Russia’s armed aggression should be given a chance for the future and support from the state. The implementation of the law adopted by the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine is a necessary step on this path.

November 21, 2024

NGO Donbas SOS

NGO The Centre of Civil Education Almenda

CF East SOS

CF Right to Protection

Civil holding GROUP OF INFLUENCE

Human Rights Centre ZMINA

NGO CrimeaSOS

CO CF Stabilization Support Services

NGO Crimean Human Rights Group