An educational scandal erupted in Kyiv during the operation of air defense forces.
This is reported by Kyiv24
At one of the leading capital gymnasiums – Gymnasium No. 109 named after Taras Shevchenko in Pechersk – a resonant event occurred: a group of students was not allowed to attend classes because they arrived at school in shorts. The incident gained widespread attention after one of the parents published a video showing the school principal sending the children home, citing the institution’s dress code requirements.
Response from the Education Ombudsman and Parents’ Opinions
Nadiya Leshchyk, the education ombudsman, noted the concerns of parents who were outraged by the actions of the gymnasium administration. In her post, Leshchyk quoted one of these appeals:
“Arguing with the internal rules of the lyceum, the principal physically prevented the children from entering, and the children were sent home unaccompanied by adults (I remind you that on this day, September 2, 2025, at 9:20 AM, an air raid alert was declared in Kyiv, and air defense forces were operational). It is also important to consider the psychological aspect: when children are not allowed to enter school in front of everyone due to their clothing, it is a form of public humiliation and excessive stress, which also violates their right to a safe educational environment and respect for their dignity,” the appeal states.
Leshchyk emphasized that the prohibition on attending classes due to clothing does not comply with current legislation.
Violation of Children’s Rights and Danger During Alerts
The education ombudsman stressed that the institution’s management has no right to require students to adhere to a mandatory dress code if it is not stipulated by law. She noted that the school’s internal regulations and dress code provisions do not hold more weight than the legislative acts of Ukraine. No regulatory document establishes the mandatory nature of school uniforms, making such requirements illegal.
Particular attention is needed regarding the fact that children were sent home alone during an air raid alert when the air defense system was operational in the city. According to Leshchyk, such actions not only violate a child’s right to education but also pose a threat to their life and health.
She called on educators and school administrators to focus on student safety and to prevent similar incidents:
“Therefore, I urge educators and school administrators to cease measures regarding checking students’ clothing and to concentrate on their safety and other important issues. I would like to emphasize that the person who ‘forced’ a student to leave the educational institution due to their clothing bears responsibility for their life and health at that time,” the ombudsman stated.
The incident at Gymnasium No. 109 sparked active discussion in society and once again raised questions about the observance of children’s rights and safety during the educational process.
