British government to provide Ukrainian children with native language exams

The British government will introduce a Ukrainian language qualification for students in England starting in 2028. This change follows years of advocacy by the Ukrainian government and local organizations regarding the status of more than 30,000 Ukrainian children living in the United Kingdom.

Previously, school staff forced these students to take final exams in Russian because a Ukrainian option did not exist.

Students reported that they refused to learn Russian and expressed that being able to use their native language would help them feel stronger against Russia. The Department for Education is providing 340,000 pounds to create this new qualification. Education Minister Georgia Gould stated that the British government supports Ukrainians through both military and cultural aid.

Ukrainian Education Minister Andrij Butenko thanked the British government for ensuring that students will have the same opportunities to choose their native language as a final exam subject. The government will continue to work with Ukraine to ensure the exam remains accessible and high quality.