Language Law Violation at a Kyiv Lyceum
Ihor Spiridonov, a representative of the Language Ombudsman, documented a breach of Article 21 of Ukraine's Law "On Ensuring the Functioning of Ukrainian as the State Language" at a lyceum in the capital. The violation, involving the use of Russian during lessons, was recorded by senior students. The video footage, lasting less than a minute, was nonetheless sufficient for a proper legal assessment of the situation.
During an on-site inspection at the lyceum, Spiridonov learned that all teaching staff had signed documents confirming their awareness of the state language requirements. Following the review, an administrative offense report was filed. The lyceum's administration confirmed that the teacher who violated the language rules has been dismissed.
Reactions and Measures to Uphold Language Law
In his comments, Ihor Spiridonov stated:
'The issue was the teacher's use of a non-state language (Russian) during lessons. The video recording lasted less than a minute, but that is enough for a proper legal evaluation if the footage captures a violation of legal requirements.'He also emphasized that the lyceum will strengthen oversight of state language compliance. Informational materials, including QR codes linking to the "File a Complaint with the Language Ombudsman" section, have been posted, and other measures have been implemented to prevent similar violations.
Spiridonov added that 'every educator must understand that the language of education in Ukraine is Ukrainian. This is a direct requirement of the law. If a teacher systematically or even occasionally uses Russian during the educational process in defiance of legal norms, this can be recorded by students, parents, or other participants in the educational process.' He also highlighted potential consequences for such violations, including the drafting of reports, administrative offense protocols, and personnel decisions by the educational institution.
This case underscores the critical importance of adhering to language legislation in Ukrainian schools. The law on the functioning of Ukrainian as the state language aims to protect the country's linguistic identity, especially amid current challenges. The response from the educational institution and authorities demonstrates a serious commitment to enforcing language norms, setting a significant example for other schools across Ukraine.
In light of recent events, the Language Commissioner has highlighted the growing concerns regarding language compliance in educational institutions. Following the dismissal of the teacher in Kyiv, he proposed implementing stricter penalties for violations, as evidenced by the overwhelming number of complaints received—659 in just one quarter. Such measures aim to reinforce the importance of adhering to language laws in schools. For more details on the proposed penalties and their implications, visit the latest updates from the Language Commissioner.