Moldovan President Dodon urges Ukraine to abandon law 'On Education'
In a Facebook post, Moldovan President Igor Dodon wants Ukraine to abolish a new law, "On Education", over a language issue.
"I express my concern about the fate of the wider community of Romanians and Moldovans living on the territory of Ukraine," the President wrote.
He believes that the community of Romanians and Moldovans in Ukraine risk "being subjected to denationalization because of the unfair law adopted by Kyiv."
According to Dodon, the new law "On Education", adopted by the Verkhovna Rada, will lead to" the abolition of education systems for ethnic and cultural minorities in Ukraine in [their] native language. "
"I, as the President of the Republic of Moldova, appeal to the Kyiv authorities to reconsider their new policy towards ethno-cultural minorities. I remind them that in Moldova, the rights of the Ukrainian community are respected," added Dodon.
He said that in Moldova there are a number of schools with instruction in the Ukrainian language.
"I very much hope that the current political leadership in Kyiv is aware of the negative consequences of this law, and will take appropriate steps to reject it," said the Moldovan president.
Earlier, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a new law, "On Education". According to the legislation, beginning on September 1, 2018, education in the language of national minorities will occur only at the preschool and primary school levels. Children will start to learn in the national language beginning in the fifth grade.
Beginning on September 1, 2018, preschool and primary school aged children can receive instruction in national minority languages while simultaneously studying the state language.
If an ethnic minority language is one of the languages of the European Union, then it will be possible to teach one or more disciplines.