Teaching Ukrainian Language in Foreign Schools

The Ministry of Education and Science is actively negotiating with international partners to incorporate the Ukrainian language into their school curricula.

This was stated by Minister of Education Oksen Lisovyi during the session of questions to the government in the Verkhovna Rada.

According to him, data from the Ukrainian education system indicates that 340 thousand students are currently studying abroad. Often, Ukrainian children are required to learn the host country's language, English, and a third foreign language, usually Russian for ease of learning.

"We understand that Ukrainian as a foreign language has potential, which is why we are negotiating with partners and have the support of many education ministries.

The proposal includes teaching Ukrainian as a language for foreigners, starting from basics. This will also help reduce the burden on our children, and we are working on it", Lisovyi noted.

He also added that the ministry has taken several steps in preparation for this, including developing standards.

When asked about the possibility of implementing Ukrainian language teaching abroad in the next academic year, Oksen Lisovyi replied that this would depend on the progress of negotiations with each country.

"We will definitely achieve some progress with several countries, such as Poland, where the largest number of our children reside", the Minister believes.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education and Science reported that by January 2025, over 355 thousand Ukrainian children are simultaneously studying in Ukrainian schools (remotely) and educational institutions in the countries where they reside.