Ukraine | Research on Romanian-Language Education: Access to Schools, Teachers and Educational Resources in Three Regions

Romanian-Language Education Analyzed Beyond the Legislative Framework

Education in the Romanian language in Ukraine will be analyzed not only through the lens of legislation and official statements, but also in relation to the actual situation in schools. The research is being conducted in the regions of Chernivtsi, Odesa and Zakarpattia and aims to compare regulatory provisions and administrative data with the experiences of teachers, students and parents.

A Project Focused on the Situation of Romanian Schools

The study is being carried out as part of the project “Romanian-Language Education in Ukraine: Between the Regulatory Framework and the Reality in Schools (EDU-RO-UA)”, implemented by the Institute of Political Studies and Social Capital (IPSSC) in Chernivtsi. The project is funded by the Department for Romanians Abroad and examines how legislative provisions concerning Romanian-language education are applied in schools across the three regions.

War and Education Reforms Are Reshaping the School System

The war, migration and the declining number of children, together with education reforms and the reorganization of the school network, are raising new questions about students’ access to education in their mother tongue. In this context, researchers consider updated and comparable data on schools, teaching staff, educational resources and the conditions under which students can continue their education to be necessary.

Access to Schools, Teachers and Educational Materials

The research will examine concrete aspects of the education system, including the location of schools and classes providing instruction in Romanian, the availability of teachers and textbooks, the difficulties faced by students, and the impact of the reorganization of educational institutions on them.

Comparing the situation in Chernivtsi, Odesa and Zakarpattia will make it possible to identify common challenges, as well as local particularities and potential solutions adapted to each region.

30 Interviews with Teachers, Parents and Students

The fieldwork component will include 30 in-depth interviews with teachers, school principals, parents, students and representatives of public authorities. The discussions will be conducted around a common set of topics, while ensuring the confidentiality of participants.

During school visits, researchers will also assess the actual learning conditions, including the availability and language of textbooks, access to Romanian-language books in school libraries, school transportation and the distances students are required to travel.

Official Data Compared with the Reality on the Ground

Researchers will correlate official data with participants’ testimonies and observations made during school visits. The aim is to identify both areas of consistency and potential differences between legislative provisions and educational practices.

Recommendations for Institutions in Romania and Ukraine

The EDU-RO-UA project continues research conducted by the Institute between 2022 and 2025 on the needs of the Romanian community in Ukraine in the context of the war.

By examining education in greater depth, the research seeks to provide institutions in Romania and Ukraine with recommendations based on the documented needs of schools, ranging from teaching resources and staff to students’ access to education in the Romanian language.

Results to Be Published in a Report

The findings of the research and the recommendations formulated as a result of the study will be compiled into a report brochure, while the main results will subsequently be presented in the local and national press.