Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language Olena Ivanovska reported that communication in school messengers and parent chats belongs to the public sphere of education, therefore it should take place exclusively in the state language.
Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language Olena Ivanovska reported that communication in school messengers and parent chats belongs to the public sphere of education, therefore it should take place exclusively in the state language.
This is stated in an explanatory memorandum for educators on the use of the Ukrainian language during the educational process and communication. It explains in detail the legal grounds for using Ukrainian in educational institutions and provides arguments for talking to parents who demand switching to the language of the aggressor state in chats or during breaks.
The clarification pays special attention to communication in the digital space. It is noted that discussing the educational and organizational process in messengers or social networks is a component of educational activities, and not private correspondence.
«Communication between participants in the educational process in working and parent groups related to the organization of education is not private — it concerns education as a public sphere of public life, and therefore is carried out in the state language,» the explanation emphasizes.
The document emphasizes that a teacher is not obliged to switch to another language at the request of parents. Providing information to a citizen in another language against his will is interpreted as a violation of his rights.
Violation of the requirements for the use of the state language in the educational sphere is subject to administrative liability under Article 188-52 of the Code of Administrative Offenses. The first violation entails a fine of UAH 3,400 to UAH 5,100, and a repeated violation within a year — from UAH 8,500 to UAH 11,900.
«In accordance with Article 10 of the Law of Ukraine „On National Minorities (Communities) of Ukraine“ and the norms of application of the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages, the rights and guarantees of protection do not apply to the language of the aggressor state. It is not included in the list of languages protected in Ukraine, and therefore any appeals to the „legal protection“ of the Russian language in school are legally null and void,» the explanatory memorandum states.
