Ukrainian Security Service Investigates Private School in Sumy Over Russian Language Instruction.

Scrutiny of the 'Asgard' Private School

According to TSN.ua: The Security Service of Ukraine (SBU) is investigating the activities of the 'Asgard' private school in the city of Sumy, focusing on its instruction of the Russian language. The school operates under the 'Rostok' program and utilizes both Ukrainian and Russian textbooks. The institution's founder, Marina Korotka, has noted that Soviet-era and pre-revolutionary textbooks are sometimes used in classes. This investigation occurs against the backdrop of Russia's full-scale invasion, which has intensified national debates on language and security.

Official Comments and Legislative Proposals

Commenting on the situation, Victoria Viter, the Commissioner for the Protection of the State Language in Sumy Oblast, and Alla Riabukha, head of the State Education Quality Service in the region, clarified that the 'Asgard' school is not part of the official state secondary education system. Their statements have raised concerns among local deputies, including Anna Valevska, a member of the Sumy District Council, who criticized the SBU for what she deemed an insufficient response to public reports about the school.

Furthermore, a draft law has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada proposing a ban on teaching the Russian language in private schools. Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi emphasized the security dimension of the issue, stating:

"If a person fails to correlate a missile strike with the Russian language, they have a problem with understanding cause and effect." - Education Minister Oksen Lisovyi.

These remarks underscore the urgency of discussing Russian language instruction within the context of contemporary security challenges.

Consequently, the case surrounding the 'Asgard' school has sparked vigorous public debate and may influence future decisions on language policy in Ukraine. This incident highlights the complex interplay between language, education, and national security in a country at war, potentially marking a pivotal moment in shaping a new policy framework.