It is recommended to extend the winter break
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine recommends that schools extend their winter break until January 19, 2026, due to worsening weather conditions. The Ministry of Education and Science has been instructed to address the issue of temporary suspension of the educational process in face-to-face format. Due to unfavorable weather conditions observed in most regions of Ukraine, it is recommended to switch to remote learning or extend the break.
The situation in the western regions
The most difficult situation is currently observed in the western regions of the country. Yulia Svyrydenko, a government representative, noted that:
"Decisions will be made urgently, taking into account the conclusions of the State Emergency Commission and the real situation in the regions." - Yulia Svyrydenko
She also emphasized that these recommendations do not apply to critical infrastructure facilities and other entities for which remote work is not feasible under martial law conditions.
It is worth noting that due to worsening weather conditions, on January 8, 2026, an 85-year-old woman went missing in Rivne region. Police officer Yevhen Cherevko rescued the woman, highlighting the importance of law enforcement work in difficult weather conditions.
This government decision underscores the seriousness of the weather situation in Ukraine, especially in the context of winter when temperature can significantly impact citizen safety. It is important that the government aims to preserve the life and health of students by transitioning to remote learning, which allows avoiding dangerous situations.
It is also recommended to consider that regardless of weather conditions, educational institutions should be prepared for changes in the learning format to ensure continuity of the educational process.