In 20 communities in the Odesa region, no high schools were planned

In the Odesa region, 20 communities did not plan to establish academic lyceums, so parents still do not know where their children will attend school after 9th grade starting September 1, 2027.

This was announced by Oleksandr Lonchak, head of the Department of Education and Science of the Odesa Regional State Administration, following a wrap-up meeting.

According to current plans for the network’s development, the establishment of academic lyceums is not provided for in these 20 communities.

Lonchak emphasized that parents should receive an honest answer today: where their children will study, which school will provide specialized secondary education, and what opportunities they will have in their community.

“Not all communities realize the scale of their responsibility, and even fewer communicate properly with parents,” he noted.

According to the official, some education authorities have provided false information, even though the actual state of affairs is easy to verify. He also mentioned that some individuals failed to attend an important meeting or left in the middle of the discussion.

Ultimately, children—who are already facing difficult times—should not have to pay the price for someone’s indifference, administrative incompetence, or unwillingness to take responsibility,” the department head emphasized.

Lonchak also spoke about the formation of a preliminary network of temporary testing centers for the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT) in 2027. At the national level, various testing models are being considered, including conducting the exam over two days and eliminating the elective subject. Final decisions will be made by the Verkhovna Rada.

He stressed that the centers must be located exclusively in shelters and that this is non-negotiable. Local communities must ensure uninterrupted lighting, high-speed internet, a sufficient number of laptops, and comfortable workspaces at these centers. Communities where such centers will be established for the first time have been added to the existing network.

According to Lonchak, 674 general secondary education institutions in the Odesa region are already using the “Mriya” app, with an activity rate of 96%.

Ірина Глухова