The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is actively pursuing the introduction of the Ukrainian language in schools abroad.

This was stated by Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi during a session in the Verkhovna Rada.

According to him, approximately 340,000 Ukrainian students are currently studying abroad, often needing to learn the local language alongside English and other foreign languages.

“We recognize the potential for Ukrainian as a foreign language, and we are negotiating with various partner countries that support this initiative,” Lisovyi noted.

The proposal includes teaching Ukrainian from the basics, which will help alleviate the burden on our children, and we are actively working on this approach,” he added.

Lisovyi also mentioned that the ministry has taken several steps towards implementing this initiative, including developing appropriate standards.

When asked about the possibility of introducing Ukrainian language classes abroad in the next academic year, the minister replied that it would depend on the success of negotiations with each specific country.

“We hope to achieve positive outcomes with several countries, such as Poland, where the largest number of our children reside,” he emphasized.

Earlier, the Ministry of Education announced that by January 2025, over 355,000 Ukrainian children abroad will be studying simultaneously in Ukrainian schools (remotely) and educational institutions in their host countries.