A programmer from Chernihiv won a lawsuit against the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, which indicated in a certificate from the Education and Science Board that he was «violating the sequence of obtaining education.» Because of this, he could lose the right to a deferral from mobilization.
A programmer from Chernihiv won a lawsuit against the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, which indicated in a certificate from the Education and Science Board that he was «violating the sequence of obtaining education.» Because of this, he could lose the right to a deferral from mobilization.
The corresponding decision was made by the Chernihiv District Administrative Court on February 16, 2026.
The man received a bachelor’s degree in Computer Engineering in 2021. In 2025, he enrolled in a full-time master’s degree program at Chernihiv Polytechnic National University.
However, the certificate from the Unified State Electronic Database on Education stated: «Current education — No, in violation.» The reason is that he had previously enrolled in a master’s degree at another university, but was expelled and did not receive a master’s degree. It is this certificate that is submitted to the CCC to issue a deferral in accordance with the law on mobilization.
The Ministry of Education and Science believed that re-admission to a master’s degree after expulsion means «inconsistent acquisition of education,» so the register correctly contains the mark «violating.»
However, the court sided with the programmer. It noted that the law defines the sequence through the levels of education: bachelor’s degree is the first level, master’s degree is the second. Since the plaintiff already has a bachelor’s degree and is currently studying for a master’s degree, the sequence is not broken.
The fact that he was previously expelled from the master’s program does not matter, because he did not receive a diploma of this level.
The court found the actions of the Ministry of Education and Science unlawful and ordered it to issue a new certificate with the mark «Yes, does not violate.» The court also charged the Ministry of Education and Science UAH 1,211 in court fees. The decision can be appealed.
