The answer to this question is included into the Special Report of the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner for Human Rights. The most important thing is that it is necessary to approve the Concept of Access to Education for Children and Youth from the Temporarily Occupied Territories at the state level.

On February 12, 2025, Dmytro Lubinets presented a Special report that was the result of the work of the Working Group on the preparation of the Concept of Access to Education for Young People from the Temporarily Occupied Territories¹ with the support  of  CoE Project “Facilitating access to human rights and essential services for internally displaced persons and returnees at the community level”.

Recommendations to the authorities were developed for six months by experts in the field of internal displacement, in particular, from specialised public organisations, representatives of state authorities, international organisations, higher educational institutions that host students from TOT, students. They include:

• introduction of a systemic state policy on access to the right to education of children and youth from TOT at all levels;
• providing support for children and youth from TOT in their adaptation and integration into the Ukrainian education system after moving to the government-controlled territory of Ukraine;
• consolidation of efforts of state authorities and local self-government, educational institutions, and the public in ensuring that children and youth from TOT receive Ukrainian education.

The event was opened on February 12 by the Head of the Council of Europe Office in Ukraine Maciej Janczak. He emphasised that the Concept of Access to Education for Children and Youth from the Temporarily Occupied Territories, recommended by the Ukrainian Parliament Commissioner For Human Rights, was an important step of Ukraine to ensure equal access to quality inclusive education for all children in Ukraine.

On February 12, Alina Gennadiivna, a student of the Kyiv National University of Civil Engineering and Architecture, shared her experience of displacement and integration into the Ukrainian education system: "After moving from the TOT, gaps in knowledge of the "Ukrainian language" and "History of Ukraine" became a challenge for me. It was difficult to catch up with the program and prepare for the test with only 3 months to spare... It would be good if children were supported in this. The efforts are worth it, because children who grew up under occupation have the right to Ukrainian education."

Alina Gennadievna's performance impressed the participants. Members of Parliament, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the Ministry of Social Policy of Ukraine, and the Educational Ombudsman repeatedly returned to it during panel discussions.

Dmytro Lubinets summed up: «Children and young people, their safety regardless of their place of residence (stay) should remain a priority for the state of Ukraine and Ukrainian society. Another task for Ukrainian state bodies and local governments in ensuring access to education for children and youth from the TOT should be shaping public opinions and debunking stereotypes and Russian propaganda». To implement the recommendations of the Special Report as a next step, the Ombudsman plans to appeal to the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine.

 SPECIAL REPORT OF THE UKRAINIAN PARLIAMENT COMMISSIONER FOR HUMAN RIGHTS ON ACCESS TO EDUCATION for Children and Youth from the Temporarily Occupied Territories of Ukraine