The police explained the real changes in student accounting
Information about supposedly automatic fines for parents due to school absences is not true. The police state that such reports are being spread with distortions.
This was reported by RBC-Ukraine, citing the Juvenile Police of Ukraine.
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What actually happened
The police explained that by the resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine dated February 25, 2026, No. 241, changes were made to the procedure for accounting children of preschool and school age.
These changes concern exclusively the accounting of children who are not engaged in education, rather than monitoring individual class absences.
In the case of identifying such children, educational institutions must:
- enter information into the relevant electronic systems;
- notify child welfare services and units of the National Police.
When police are involved
The police are involved in cases where a child has not attended school for an extended period without valid reasons, there is no contact with the parents, or there is a risk of violating the child’s right to education.
In such situations, juvenile prevention units can:
- determine the reasons for the child’s absence;
- facilitate their return to education;
- check the conditions of upbringing and safety.
At the same time, this is not a mechanism for responding to every individual class absence.
Can parents be fined?
The police note that holding parents administratively accountable is only possible if there is evidence of failure to fulfill parental responsibilities.
Such decisions are made after verification and legal assessment in accordance with Article 184 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.
Thus, automatic fines for each class absence are not provided, and the new rules are aimed at identifying children who are not actually engaged in education.
Earlier, RBC-Ukraine reported on the tightening of control over school attendance in Ukraine. In cases of prolonged unexcused absences, schools will notify the police and social services, which will investigate the circumstances and may hold parents accountable.
We also wrote about the introduction of a digital system in Ukraine for rapid notification of children’s absences. Schools, police, and social services will instantly exchange data to respond promptly to student absences and enhance their safety.
