Ukrainian authorities have closed 1,300 schools since Yanukovych started his presidency

In Ukraine, 1,300 schools have been closed since Yanukovych was elected head of state. At the same time the financing of the others is at a level which is obviously insufficient for the normal development.

Lilia Grinevich, who serves as head of the Verkhovna Rada Committee, said that over a period of 3 years, beginning in 2010, 1306 schools were closed in Ukraine. Predictably, most of them in rural areas. She also said that Ukrainian education this year will be underfinanced again, which is a serious threat to modern society. According to the official, for education this year allocated 107 billion hryvnia, which is about 6 percent of GDP. Although according to the education law, this industry should receive a minimum of 10%, which is 160 billion. The official government position is that “optimization” of schools will automatically improve conditions in those that remain. However, the people’s deputy pointed out that this is not the case. According to the available data, the state budget allocates 8,800 UAH for the maintenance of one pupil, although in reality a schoolchild costs at least 9,500.Opposition deputy stressed:

“By laying down such a standard per pupil, we are laying down the problems of local budgets and shifting a significant amount of funding into the pockets of parents. It leads to the deepening of unequal access to quality education. The schools where children of more affluent parents study have completely different conditions of education. Education in Ukraine Produces Poverty and Creates a Social Stratum of Under-Educated People

Also Grinevich noted that over time undereducated people are unable to provide themselves with normal living conditions by means of honest work. And at the same time Klitschko visited President Yanukovych. After the conflicts that took place on Sunday, the leader of the opposition went straight from the stage to declare his intention to talk to the acting president about “stopping the escalation of the conflict”.