The “Education Front: Challenges and Solutions in the Conditions of the Marital State” Volyn Educational Forum is Held at the University

The “Educational Front: Challenges and Solutions under Martial Law” Volyn Educational Forum was held at Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University. At the invitation of Rector Anatolii Tsos, People’s Deputy of Ukraine, First Deputy Head of the Committee of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Humanitarian and Information Policy Iryna Konstankevych, First Deputy Head of Volyn Regional Council Yurii Polishchuk, Deputy Mayor of Lutsk Iryna Chebeliuk, Head of Department of Education and Science, Nataliia Matviiuk of the Volyn Regional Military Administration, Director of the Department of Education of the Lutsk City Council Vitalii Bondar, Head of the Department of Social Services for Family, Children and Youth of Lutsk City Council Lina Halan, volunteers, military personnel, rectors of higher education institutions and directors of schools in Lutsk and Volyn participated in the event.

“We are working on improving the material and technical base, enhancing academic mobility programmes, double diploma programmes, dual education forms. The fact that we are moving in the right direction is also evidenced by the ratings. Today, there are 366 higher education institutions in Ukraine, and according to the latest TOP-200 rankings, Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University took 24th place. This convinces us that our development strategy is correct and we will continue working in this direction,” said Anatolii Tsos. Later, Head of the University noted that the impact of russian aggression and the full-scale invasion was detrimental for education, for educators though, it showed the importance of volunteering as a phenomenon contributing to the national and patriotic education of young people. The Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Oksen Lisovyi was also invited but could not join the ceremonial opening online due to the Cabinet of Ministers’ meeting. However, he sent the abstracts of his speech read aloud by Anatolii Vasyliovych. In particular, addressing the forum participants the Minister discussed the negative impact of full-scale invasion on children and educational process as well as the important role of educators in organising a high-quality educational process.

“On behalf of the Ministry of Education and Culture, I express my support and gratitude for your systematic, high-quality and selfless work for the development of Ukrainian education and science, patriotism and caring. Holding the “Educational front: challenges and solutions under martial law” Volyn Educational Forum proves that Lesya Ukrainka Volyn National University is the leader initiating the discussion of education problems under martial law and is able to consolidate educators to find ways to solve them. The forum initiated by you proves that educational institutions are centres of resistance, leaders of change, the foundation for the reconstruction of Ukraine,” mentioned the address of the Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi.

People’s Deputy Iryna Konstankevych also addressed the audience emphasizing that it is necessary to talk about the mobilization of all educational forces in order to be worthy defenders of education, science, and the humanitarian environment. “Thank you that today’s forum is defined as an educational front, because this is a real struggle. We are aware of all the challenges facing education. Education generates values without which we will not be able to win and have the strength to restore Ukraine. It is education that should be a powerful resource for the recovery of Ukraine, but to make this resource work, we need to clearly define the parameters of recovery. And this is, first of all, about the restoration of intellectual potential. To make this happen, educators and scientists should define algorithms and strategies. This is the value and meaning of today’s forum,” said Iryna Myroslavivna and thanked the event organisers.

After the welcome speeches, a meeting of four discussion panels took place: “Pupils and Students abroad: Mechanisms for Preserving National Education”, “National and Patriotic Upbringing: Educational, Security and Defense Factors”, “Psychological and Social Support of Participants in the Educational Process and their Parents in War Conditions”, “Integration of Education and Science: Foreign Experience and Ukrainian Realities”. The panel speakers were People’s Deputy of Ukraine, First Deputy Chair of the Committee of Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine on Humanitarian and Information Policy Iryna Konstankevych, Head of the Department of Education and Science of Volyn Regional State Administration Nataliia Matviiuk.

Oleksandr Furman, Acting Head of the Department of Culture, Youth and Sports of Volyn Oblast State Administration Oleksandr Khvishchuk, Head of the “Volunteer Center “Patriot’s Heart” public organisation Serhii Balytskyi, Captain, Head of the Communications Service, Head of the Lutsk United City Territorial Centre for Staffing and Social Support with the public of the 14th Separate Mechanised Brigade Named after Prince Roman the Great (OMbr) Nadiia Zamryha, Director of the Department of Education of Lutsk City Council Vitalii Bondar, Head of the Department of Social Services for Family, Children and Youth of Lutsk City Council Lina Halan, Deputy Commander of Military Unit A0959, Lieutenant Colonel Vasyl Sharkovskyi, Director of the “Volyn Oblast Small Academy of Sciences” communal institution Tetyana Mykhaliuk, Head of the Department of State Education Quality Service in Volyn Oblast Anhelina Korets, Deputy Head of the Department of Education and Science of Volyn Oblast State Administration Tetiana Solomina.

During the operation of the panels, an air alarm sounded, which did not interfere with the work of the forum participants. The meeting continued in the University shelter.

Volyn educators emphasized the effectiveness and need for such forums held in the future and expressed hope that the action will bring practical results for the education sector.