School principal in Kherson engaged armed guards under occupation

The former director of a Kherson school was sentenced to 12 years for turning the school into a platform for the implementation of Russian educational standards. He organized the admission of students, managed the educational process and controlled the school himself.

This is evidenced by the verdict of the Khadzhybeyskyi District Court of Odesa.

According to the investigation, the collaborator's actions began in July 2022, immediately after the occupation administration officially created a new educational institution based on the local communal school according to Russian standards.

During the occupation, the school completely switched to Russian educational standards. New curricula were introduced, textbooks were imported from Russia, and the Ukrainian language was actually withdrawn from the educational process. The collaborator organized the admission of students to the school according to Russian standards, selected teachers, supervised the implementation of educational programs and ensured the operation of the institution.

In addition, he controlled the school's premises and property, established security from representatives of the occupation forces and organized the so-called control logs for issuing keys. All school employees had to receive salaries in rubles, and Ukrainian symbols and memorial plaques were removed. In particular, a memorial plaque of a prominent Ukrainian teacher who had been awarded state honors was removed.

In addition to educational activities, the collaborator performed administrative and administrative functions, organized meals for children, drew up orders for staff and controlled the financial and logistical issues of the school.

He was sentenced to 12 years in prison with confiscation of all property and a ban on holding any administrative or educational positions for 15 years. The punishment will begin to be served from the moment of actual detention.

Also, the director of a lyceum in the Kherson region was sentenced to 12 years for collaboration. After the occupation of the Henichesk district in July 2022, she agreed to head Novotroitsk School No. 1, where she organized campaigns among students to join the pro-Kremlin Yunarmiya and promised bonuses to teachers for supporting this policy.

Анна Бальчінос