Parents Face Fines Up to 5,100 Hryvnias for Children Skipping School: Key Details.

New Measures in Ukrainian Law

According to TSN.ua: Ukrainian parents could soon be fined up to 5,100 hryvnias if their children miss school without a valid reason. Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi announced the policy change, which aims to strengthen parental responsibility for their children's schooling. Deputy Education Minister Nadia Kuzmychova clarified that this is a return to rules that were in place before the pandemic.

Penalties for Absences and Updated Rules

Under the new framework, a first offense will result in a fine ranging from 50 to 100 untaxed minimum incomes, equivalent to 850–1,700 hryvnias. For repeat violations within a year, the penalty increases to 100–300 untaxed minimum incomes, which equals 1,700–5,100 hryvnias. Ukraine's Education Ombudsman, Nadia Leshchyk, is also pushing to reduce the number of allowed school absences without a medical certificate from 10 days to just 5, a move expected to further cut down on truancy.

'Currently, we are discussing coordination between the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, particularly the National Police, which will monitor whether a child is present at their educational institution.' Nadia Kuzmychova

Under Ukraine's Code of Administrative Offenses, parents who avoid their duty to ensure their child's education can already face administrative liability. These new measures are designed to boost accountability and encourage more consistent school attendance.

These legal changes reflect the Ukrainian government's push to improve educational outcomes and reduce absenteeism in schools. By reinstating pre-pandemic norms, authorities emphasize the critical role of in-person attendance for both learning and social development. The hope is that steeper fines will motivate parents to take a more active role in monitoring their children's school attendance.