‘Discriminatory and unconstitutional proposal’: Ukraine’s Minister of Education has supported the mobilization of individuals pursuing a second higher education

Ukraine’s Minister of Education, Oksen Lisovyi, has supported the cancellation of deferments from mobilization for individuals pursuing a second higher education.

He expressed this stance in a Facebook post.

“The right to education is guaranteed by the Constitution of Ukraine and all those willing can continue to exercise it. At the same time, the Constitution notes that the defense of Ukraine, its independence and territorial integrity is the duty of citizens. Searching for loopholes to supposedly exercise one’s right while avoiding one’s duty is not about honesty or dignity,” he stated.

According to his data, in 2022, 55,000 more men over the age of 25 enrolled in Ukrainian universities compared to 2021 and there were 33,000 more master’s degree students.

“Deferments will still be granted to male students who have not yet reached the age of 30 and are pursuing consecutive education, as well as to teaching staff working in educational institutions (with a primary employment rate of at least 0.75),” the minister added.

According to military lawyer Nikolay Maksimov, restricting constitutional rights, including the right to education is something that lawmakers can indeed do. However, the question arises of whether there is a need to send tens of thousands of individuals with low motivation to the front lines. The expert adds that the ranks of the Ukrainian Armed Forces could be strengthened with much more motivated individuals.

“Because of this bill, there are significant risks of conscripting low-motivated individuals into the army and potential violations of people’s right to education. I think it is hardly necessary to call up 10-30 thousand (and 30-40 thousand of such students will hide) students. The question is why these recruits are not sought among graduates of military universities and departments. The National Police has more than 130,000 personnel and the Security Service of Ukraine has more than 50,000 personnel. Perhaps it would be better to look among them?” Maksimov suggests.

According to lawyer Oleg Leontiev, during the period of martial law, anyone pursuing vocational-technical and higher education confirms their right to deferment every six months. This means that if the law is passed in the near future, those who have reached the age of 30 and are currently studying will be sent to the front after the New Year.

The expert hopes that the specialized committee in the Verkhovna Rada will not pass the proposed law.

“If it is passed, I think there will be those who will turn to the Constitutional Court. I have a client with a higher education but he could not find a job in his field. He enrolled in a vocational school at the age of 40 to acquire a profession and find work. Should he be prohibited? I consider this proposal discriminatory and unconstitutional,” concludes the expert.