The draft law # 133072 is considered in Ukraine, which provides for the creation of Ukrainian -language environment in schools. According to the initiative, Russian want to be banned not only during lessons, but also at breaks, in canteens and shelters.
The bill is intended to encourage students to speak in the state language and to promote the formation of Ukrainian linguistic competence and identity. In this case, the administration of educational institutions and teachers should stimulate the use of Ukrainian, but no punishments for violation of this rule are provided.
In addition to the general requirement for the Ukrainian -language environment, the document contains exceptions:
- use of foreign languages during lessons;
- communication with the languages of national minorities in specialized classes;
- teaching individual subjects in English or other languages of the European Union.
The bill is currently under consideration by the Verkhovna Rada.
The Ministry of Education and Science supports the initiative. According to the Minister of Education Oksen Lisovy, some changes were made, but they did not affect the general concept. He also emphasized that it is important to ensure the equal development of languages of national minorities, but this does not apply to the Russian language.
If the bill is approved, Ukrainian schools will officially become completely Ukrainian -language spaces, which can cause both support and criticism among the public.
