The Ukrainian Embassy in Bucharest stated on Monday that no school in Ukraine with full or partial Romanian-language instruction will be closed in 2027, rejecting what it calls a new wave of misinformation about the country's high-school education reform.

The Embassy said it had noticed 'a re-emergence of information that does not correspond to reality regarding the reform of the high school education system in Ukraine' circulating in Romanian media.

'We emphasize that no school in Ukraine with full or partial teaching in Romanian will be closed in 2027,' the diplomatic mission wrote on Facebook.

A first claim debunked by the Embassy of Ukraine in Bucharest is the one according to which the number of Romanian-language schools in the Chernivtsi region will drop from 20 to 4 in 2027.

The Embassy responds that 'The reform does not provide for the closure of any educational unit. Schools that will not become academic high schools will continue to function as gymnasiums (grades 1 - 9).'

According to the Embassy, the region currently has 63 schools with full or partial Romanian teaching and 11 branches serving remote rural areas. 'No official document issued by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine or local authorities provides for reducing the school network in 2027,' it added.

The reform's goal, it said, is to improve education quality, modernize teaching and align the system with EU standards, including the transition to 12 years of schooling. 'The right to education in the mother tongue will be guaranteed continuously and in the future,' the Embassy stressed.

The next narrative rejected is that according to which Romanian children will lose the right to study in their native language.

'The Constitution of Ukraine guarantees the right of persons belonging to national minorities to education in their native language,' the Embassy said, noting that students will continue to study subjects in Romanian. Ukraine, it added, 'fully complies with all its international obligations', including the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. The reform, it said, 'does not restrict rights, but expands opportunities'.

Another narrative dismissed by the Embassy is that Romanian children will be forced to move to Ukrainian-language institutions.

'There is no and there will be no forced transfer - the decision on choosing an educational institution belongs to the parents,' the statement said. Gymnasiums with Romanian teaching will continue to operate, and Romanian-language high-school options will remain available. The Chernivtsi authorities approved the network of Romanian-language academic high schools after consultations with 19 local communities, following which the network of academic high schools with teaching in Romanian was approved. The purpose of the reform - improving the quality of studies and creating a modern educational environment, structured according to EU standards, the Embassy explained.

The Embassy also rejected claims that Romanian-language schools in rural areas will be shut down.

'No educational institution will be closed as a result of the reform,' the diplomatic mission said, adding that schools without high-school classes will continue as gymnasiums. Ukraine will continue to finance 11 Romanian-language branches with small student numbers, and flexible rules and school transport will be ensured for Romanian communities.

Finally, the Embassy dismissed accusations that the reform aims to assimilate the Romanian minority.

'Any form of assimilation of national minorities is strictly prohibited by Ukrainian legislation,' it said. The reform, it added, is part of Ukraine's effort to harmonize its education system with EU standards, and does not represent an ethnic policy. The Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine constantly collaborates with the Romanian community, with the Romanian relevant authorities, as well as with international and partner organizations. The Chernivtsi Regional Military Administration maintains a permanent dialogue with the Romanian-speaking population of the 19 territorial communities of the region. The goal of the reform is to provide all children with equal opportunities for in-depth studies in high school, so that they can achieve success in life, the Embassy underscored. AGERPRES (RO - writing by: Daniel Florea; EN - writing by: Simona Klodnischi)