Number of schools to be reduced in Kherson due to decrease in student enrollment

The Kherson community has approved a plan for the transformation of general secondary education institutions. The decision was made by the city authorities and published on the website of the Kherson City Military Administration.

According to Yaroslav Shanko, head of the Kherson MVA, the community plans to keep the network of primary schools and gymnasiums, and concentrate specialized education for high school students in five lyceums.

According to the head of the MBA, the reform does not involve closing schools or restricting children's access to education.

"Our task is to adapt the educational network to modern realities, legal requirements and provide children with quality specialized education even in times of war," said Yaroslav Shanko.

He added that before making the decision, the authorities analyzed the demographic situation, held consultations with teachers, heads of higher education institutions and public discussions.

In recent years, the number of students in the community has decreased by almost three thousand, and the number of high school classes has halved. Some students after grade 9 choose vocational education or continue their studies in other cities or abroad.

According to the approved plan, 28 gymnasiums and primary schools will operate in the community as early as September 1, 2026. And from September 1, 2027, their number will be reduced to 16 in Kherson and eight more institutions in the community's settlements.

The document also defines the list of lyceums that will operate from 2027. The network will include:

• Specialized school No. 24
• Specialized school No. 30;
• Kherson Academic Lyceum named after O. V. Mishukov;
• Kherson Physical and Technical Lyceum;
• Kherson Tauride Lyceum.

Schools No. 24 and No. 30 will operate as lyceums with basic secondary education until 2030, and will become full-fledged academic lyceums on September 1, 2030.

The community also plans to open a Youth Education Center and a special school No. 1. The order states that every year by September 1, the authorities will analyze the provision of specialized secondary education to students and, if necessary, will be able to change the network of academic lyceums.

As a reminder, the Kherson community is experiencing a critical shortage of personnel in almost all areas, most notably in healthcare and utilities. Medical facilities are only half staffed, and the workload on doctors is constantly growing.

Андрій Колісніченко