More than 11,600 preschool institutions will be open in Ukraine starting September 1, including 1,100 operating in a hybrid format and 1,200 offering remote instruction, according to the Ministry of Education and Science.
“As of September 1, 11,622 preschool education institutions will be operating in Ukraine: 9,301 in-person, 1,111 in a hybrid format, and 1,210 remotely. This year, 712,987 children will begin their education at these institutions. All preschools operating in-person or in a hybrid format have access to shelters,” the ministry’s statement reads.
At the same time, it is noted that there has been significant progress in providing shelters for preschools.
For example, while 56.1% of preschools had shelters in 2022, 83% now have shelters either on their premises or within 100 meters.
The ministry reported that in 2026, for the first time, a state subsidy totaling 1 billion hryvnia is allocated for the construction of shelters in preschool education institutions, of which over 972 million hryvnia has been allocated to 18 projects in nine regions.
“In accordance with the Law ‘On the Use of the English Language in Ukraine’ and the Law ‘On Preschool Education,’ starting September 1, 2026, the study of English in older preschool groups (for children aged 5–6) will become a mandatory component of the educational process in all preschool institutions,” the Ministry of Education noted.
The ministry noted that learning English in preschool is primarily a gentle introduction to the language through play, rather than “lessons” in the traditional sense.
Specifically, for children aged 5–6, the optimal class duration is 20–25 minutes, with a change in activities every 5–7 minutes—this helps maintain the children’s attention and interest.
Viktor Mykyta, Deputy Head of the Office of the President of Ukraine and Chair of the Chamber of Regions of the Congress of Local and Regional Authorities, reported on a meeting with heads of regional administrations, during which they discussed the regions’ preparations for the start of the new school year, providing children with hot meals, setting up shelters, ensuring energy independence for educational institutions, and other issues.
“As of now, more than 9,370 educational institutions are ready to provide children with hot lunches. This covers nearly 99% of all students at this level. The state has provided communities with the financial resources needed to achieve this target,” Mykyta wrote on Telegram on Friday following the meeting.
He also reported on work to implement the president’s “Schoolchild’s Package” initiative, which provides funding to families of first-graders to purchase necessary school supplies before the start of the new school year, though he did not specify what stage the initiative is currently in.
The deputy head of the Presidential Office discussed efforts to create energy-independent schools, which involve equipping the largest educational institutions with autonomous power, generation, and heating systems. “Schools will become true havens of resilience, where, in the event of power outages, children will be able to stay warm and have access to electricity for an extended period of time. Last winter, which was particularly harsh, such solutions proved their effectiveness in communities and regions. This is our proven path, and we are moving forward along it,” Mykyta said.
Philip Morris Ukraine has opened a new modern shelter on the territory of its factory in the Lviv region, in which it has invested about UAH 60 million, according to a press release from the company.
“In the current circumstances, the safety of our people is not just a requirement of the times, but also our responsibility. (…) We continue to invest in Ukraine, and these investments demonstrate our long-term strategy as an investment ambassador and our support for the economy in the context of martial law,” said Maxim Barabash, CEO of the company.
The shelter is designed for 170 people and will provide protection for both factory workers and local residents during air raids or emergencies. It fully complies with all applicable safety requirements and standards and is designed to provide comfortable accommodation for people for up to 48 hours.
The space is equipped with a ventilation system using explosion-proof valves and air conditioning, an alarm and fire extinguishing system with backup power supply, a water supply and sewage system, a heating system, radio broadcasting, telephone communication, and video surveillance, places for rest and seating, and water and food supplies for long stays. The shelter takes into account the needs of people with disabilities. The premises include a medical corner, sanitary facilities, shower rooms, and a kitchen area.
Construction of the shelter began in September 2024 after the launch of the factory, in which the company invested $30 million. Prior to this, employees used a modernized shelter on the territory of the Lviv city community, in which the company invested about UAH 1.3 million.
Philip Morris was spun off from Altria in 2008 and is one of the world’s largest tobacco manufacturers. The company’s revenue for 2023 increased by 10.7% compared to 2022, to $35.2 billion. The report noted that Ukraine accounted for about 2% of total sales in volume terms and 1% in monetary terms.
In 2022, PMI reduced shipments to the Ukrainian market by 30.1% to 11.07 billion cigarettes and tobacco sticks due to the war, but in 2023, it managed to increase shipments of finished products by 8.4%, including 14.9% in the fourth quarter. In October 2023, the company announced that it had restored its share of the Ukrainian market to 24%. In 2024, Ukraine’s figures were excluded from PMI’s quarterly reports.
In addition to cigarette production, PMI develops and manufactures smokeless products—electrically heated tobacco products (e-cigarettes), nicotine-containing POD systems, and nicotine products for oral use. Sales of smokeless products accounted for 39% of PMI’s total net income in the first quarter of 2024 and 38% in the third quarter.
Philip Morris Ukraine has been operating in the Ukrainian market since 1994 and has invested over $750 million in the Ukrainian economy during this time. Since the start of the full-scale invasion, it has allocated over UAH 400 million to humanitarian projects.
In one of the settlements of the Mykolaiv region (Voznesensk district), modern shelters were equipped in a lyceum and a kindergarten with financial support from Serbia. This was part of efforts to protect children and teachers in the context of the military conflict. The shelters are designed for more than 800 lyceum students and more than 90 kindergarten children. The new safe spaces were restored and equipped by the Olena Zelenska Foundation.
The project was funded as part of Serbian humanitarian aid to Ukraine. The shelters are equipped with the necessary conditions for children and staff to stay during air raids. Officials expressed their gratitude to Serbia for its support in a difficult time.
Serbia has already provided humanitarian aid to Ukraine several times. Last year, Belgrade sent several batches of medicines, food, and basic necessities. In addition, Serbia has participated in projects to restore civilian infrastructure and secure humanitarian corridors.
Serbia remains neutral in the military conflict in Ukraine, but continues to support the population of Ukraine through humanitarian initiatives.
Source: https://t.me/relocationrs/666
