Ukrainian Catholic University Evaluates the Language Situation in the Field of Education

The Ukrainian Catholic University (UCU) evaluated Resolution № 642 of the Cabinet of Ministers from July 28, 2010, On Introducing Changes to the Regulations for Preparing Pedagogic and Academic Cadres, according to which the obligatory exam in the Ukrainian language needed to enter a graduate program and to obtain a candidate’s degree were canceled. In a declaration dated from August 9, 2010, the rector of UCU, on behalf of the community of the university, expressed his resolute disagreement with the resolution and stressed that in Ukrainian higher schools a necessary prerequisite to an academic career needs to depend on the knowledge of the Ukrainian language.

In the declaration the community of UCU brings to attention to the fact that this resolution is not the only document passed by the current government that lowers the status of the Ukrainian language. According to UCU, the Cabinet of Ministers is lowering the status systematically for the above-mentioned resolution was preceded by two decrees of the Ministry of Education and Science and a resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers that all methodically lower the status of the Ukrainian language and narrow the field of its use in higher education.

The administration of the UCU called rectors of higher educational institutions of Ukraine, especially those in south and central regions, to defend the dignified place of the Ukrainian language in preparing academic cadres for education in higher educational institutions.