State Language Protection Commissioner, professor and Doctor of Philology Olena Ivanovska, in an interview with hromadske cited by RBC-Ukraine, explained the mechanism of administrative liability for educators using the Russian language in the educational process. According to her, responsibility does not occur automatically, but after reviewing a complaint: for example, a student's parents can appeal to the Language Ombudsman's Office if a teacher conducts a lesson in Russian. If the fact of the violation is confirmed and it is a first-time offense, the educator receives a warning or a fine ranging from 3,400 to 5,100 hryvnias. For repeated violations, the penalty increases.
How Fines Work in Practice
Ivanovska noted that teachers summoned to the Language Ombudsman's Office most often explain the use of Russian as accidental and promise to improve; according to her observations, after such a conversation, teachers' behavior usually changes. At the same time, there are some teachers, trainers, and extracurricular staff who fundamentally refuse to pay. In such cases, the fine is collected forcibly — in double the amount. Paying the penalty, according to the ombudsman, does not guarantee keeping one's job: educational institution heads frequently terminate contracts with violators to avoid reputational losses for the institution. Meanwhile, the Language Ombudsman's Office does not keep statistics on such dismissals, as institution heads do not report personnel decisions to it.
Where the Ukrainian Language is Mandatory
In accordance with language legislation, Ivanovska stated, the Ukrainian language must be used in the public sphere, including the provision of educational services. This requirement, she emphasized, applies not only to school lessons, but also to clubs, sections, and other educational classes. The ombudsman also pointed out the distinction between the educational process and the educational environment resulting from educational reform, which, she said, complicates the application of the language law in various situations of teacher-student communication.
Language Protection is Not a Ban on Other Languages
Ivanovska emphasized that protecting the Ukrainian language in education does not mean banning other languages, but the state, in her assessment, must counter the spread of Russian cultural influence. Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported that in Ukraine, the educational process, including lessons and upbringing work, must be conducted in the state language: for violating this requirement, a teacher at one of Kyiv's lyceums was fined 3,400 hryvnias after showing first-graders a cartoon snippet with Russian voice acting.
Context: Discussion Surrounding Teachers
The topic of applying the language law in schools remains a subject of discussion in society. According to OBOZ.UA, a debate broke out on the Threads social network regarding a solfege teacher in Kyiv who, according to parents, communicates exclusively in Russian; the institution's director reportedly warned parents about the situation. This case illustrates that issues of language practice in clubs and sections — precisely where, according to the ombudsman, the law also applies — continue to spark disputes between teachers, parents, and school management.
