Ukraine's New Government Decree: Tracking Children Not in Kindergarten

Revised Registration for Preschool and School-Age Children

According to ХВИЛЯ: The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has adopted Decree No. 241, which alters the registration procedures for children of preschool and school age. Under the new framework, the tracking system for preschoolers who do not attend a formal institution has been aligned with the one used for schoolchildren. If a child is not enrolled in any preschool and the parents have not provided a reason, the child may be assigned a status of 'not engaged in education.' This designation triggers a response chain involving the AICOM electronic system, child welfare services, and potentially the police. This reform reflects a broader effort to modernize child welfare monitoring in line with European practices.

Parental Rights and the Updated Regulations

Parents who opt for homeschooling retain that right but are now required to formally notify the local education authority. The new rules also apply to cases where a child is registered at a kindergarten but has been absent for an extended period without a valid reason. Such situations may now serve as grounds for an investigation by child services and juvenile police. A central aspect of the decree is the significantly accelerated response time to these alerts.

Previously, weeks could pass between noting an absence and alerting the police. Under the new protocol, information is relayed to juvenile prevention units almost instantly once a relevant marker appears in the system. As noted by Olena Parfionova,

“What used to take weeks now happens almost instantaneously.”

Consequently, these amendments to child registration are intended to facilitate a more rapid response to potential issues with a child's education.

These changes, particularly the swift reaction to children not attending educational institutions, could have a substantial impact on Ukraine's education system. They are designed to provide better support for children who may find themselves in difficult circumstances and to promote their development. This also underscores the state's role in monitoring and ensuring children's access to education, which is a fundamental right of every child.