Solutions from Ukraine: schools remove gender separation in Defense of Ukraine classes for students
Photo: New Ukrainian School
Starting now, Ukrainian high school students will study "Defense of Ukraine" in mixed-gender classes instead of being separated by gender.
This is reported on the Government portal.
What is the problem?
"Currently, schools have the subject "Defense of Ukraine" in their curriculum, which has been there since Soviet times and follows Soviet tradition by applying discriminatory norms regarding sex and gender," People's Deputy Iryna Herashchenko believes.
In April, Ukraine's parliament, the Verkhovna Rada, passed draft law No. 11092 in its first reading. This law aims to include "Defense of Ukraine" in the school curriculum for both boys and girls, allowing boys and girls to learn "Defense of Ukraine" on an equal basis.
According to the explanation accompanying the proposed legislation, the goal is to enhance the implementation of joint military training as a fundamental means of preparing Ukrainian citizens for national defense.
What is the solution?
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine approved changes to the Procedure for dividing classes into groups during the study of the subject "Defense of Ukraine."
From now on, students in grades 10-11 will be divided into groups according to the number of people in each group—from 8 to 15.
These modifications will enable teachers to devote greater attention to practical learning in smaller groups. They will also provide students of all genders with the opportunity to acquire fundamental life skills, self-defense techniques, and heightened defensive awareness.
How does it work?
Between 2024 and 2026, the education system in Ukraine will begin implementing the "Defense of Ukraine" curriculum as part of a nationwide pedagogical experiment. Schools still following the old curriculum are also expected to eliminate gender-based grouping.
The updated program consists of 10 modules aimed at developing practical skills. They include:
- pre-medical assistance,
- drone control skills,
- tactical medicine,
- radio communication,
- other modern technologies corresponding to the realities of wartime.
The program will also help students develop emotional resilience and the ability to act in extreme situations.
From 2027, the updated "Defense of Ukraine" program will also become the basis for specialized studies, where students can choose individual modules for in-depth study.
Training in centers
The new program provides that lessons will be held throughout the day once a month instead of the usual 45-minute lessons once a week.
For this purpose, special educational centers are created in the communities, which will unite students from several schools. This will make it possible to organize practical classes more effectively and provide students from the entire community with access to modern educational equipment.
In December, the state allocated a subvention of UAH 1.74 billion. Of this, UAH 1.64 billion was allocated to support these centers, while UAH 100 million was allocated to teacher professional development.
The government portal noted that "Communities are already purchasing modern simulators for controlling drones, training ranges, and other interactive tools that will allow students to master practical skills. "
For reference:
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has implemented a new educational initiative focused on "Theoretical and Methodological Principles of Teaching Defense of Ukraine," allowing educational centers to teach the revised subject or integrated course in accordance with the State Standard of Specialized Secondary Education this school year.
