2024 Brought Alarming News for the Education Sector
The number of complaints about violations of the Law on the State Language in schools has significantly increased. According to the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language, Taras Kremin, every 10th to 15th complaint received pertained to non-compliance with language standards in educational institutions. This raises serious concerns.
Worrying Statistics
According to a study by the Ukrainian Book Institute, the percentage of children using the Ukrainian language in schools and extracurricular activities dropped by 2% compared to the previous year (from 76% in 2023 to 74% in 2024). Meanwhile, the use of the Russian language increased from 3% to 9%. While this may seem minor, in the context of current events, it is an alarming trend.
Reasons Behind the Decline in Language Use
- Bilingualism in Everyday Life
As Taras Kremin notes, many families practice a bilingual mode of communication in daily life. This habit encourages children to mix languages, which eventually spills over into the school environment. - Lack of Quality Content
There is a noticeable shortage of engaging and accessible Ukrainian-language content on television and the internet, particularly for young audiences. This creates a gap in fostering language culture from an early age. - Non-Compliance with Language Legislation
Educational institutions do not always adhere to the requirements of the Law on the State Language. This is evident in the lack of control over the language of instruction and insufficient support for Ukrainian-language events.
How Can This Be Fixed?
- The Role of Parents
The Language Commissioner emphasizes that language culture begins at home. Parents should communicate more with their children in Ukrainian, read Ukrainian-language books together, and actively support their language education. - State Support
The Ministry of Education and Science, founders of educational institutions, and government authorities must work together to strengthen the position of the state language in education. - Content Creation
It is essential to promote modern Ukrainian-language content that appeals to children and teenagers, including interactive apps, movies, TV series, and games.
Language Is More Than Just a Means of Communication
The decline in the use of the Ukrainian language in schools has far-reaching implications beyond education. It is also a matter of national identity, as language serves as the foundation of culture and the nation’s future.
Additional efforts by society, parents, and the government can reverse this trend. However, the current statistics are a stark reminder: a language that lacks support begins to fade. This is a lesson we cannot afford to ignore.
