Voluntary Contributions in Schools: Are Parents Obliged to Pay in Ukraine?
Since September 1, Ukrainian schools have welcomed students for a new academic year, bringing to light ongoing discussions about funding education.
Ukrainian legislation guarantees free access to secondary education for all students, with voluntary contributions permitted but not mandatory for parents.
Education Ombudswoman Nadija Leshchyk emphasized in her Facebook post that parents have the right, but not the obligation, to make charitable donations to educational institutions.
She clarified that donations must be transferred solely to the treasury accounts of the schools and that creating charitable funds or public organizations on the basis of state schools is prohibited.
If parents transfer funds to such organizations, there is no guarantee that these funds will be used for the needs of the educational institution, even if the organization’s statutory goals include support for the school.
Additionally, charitable foundations can allocate up to 20% of their income for administrative costs, covering salaries and rent.
Therefore, it is crucial to verify the purpose of the funds and review reports on collected money and its utilization.
Importantly, educational institutions cannot refuse to enroll a child due to unpaid voluntary contributions nor can they require such donations as a prerequisite for admission or studying — such demands are illegal.
Remember, voluntary donations are a matter of personal choice, and parents have the right to decide whether to support their child’s school financially or not.