In VR, they gave their vision of an opportunity to mobilize male students
The Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine Committee on Education, Science and Innovation, Serhiy Babak, shared his thoughts on the possibility of mobilizing male students. He noted that currently men aged 25+ who study in full-time or dual-time educational institutions cannot be mobilized. These comments of Babak were made in connection with the statement of the Secretary of the National Security and Defense Council of Ukraine, Oleksiy Danilov, that the issue of the procedure for obtaining a second higher education for men will be decided by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. Babak noted that he received many questions about the mobilization of those who entered educational institutions. He shared his thoughts on two categories of dodgers. The first category is those who commit crimes by paying bribes or using fake documents to evade mobilization. The second category is those who legally use the opportunity to obtain a second or third education. He also added that he does not know the exact number of people from the first category, and this issue needs to be investigated by law enforcement agencies. Babak cited statistical data according to which in 2019-2021, an average of 40,000 men aged 25+ entered educational institutions at all levels, in 2022 – more than 106,000, and currently – more than 76,000. He called for an understanding of the scale of the problem, noting that the difference between 106,000 and 40,000 is 66,000 people, which is equal to 13 brigades. Babak explained that the issue of the procedure for obtaining a second higher education for men can only be resolved by the Verkhovna Rada and the Ministry of Education and Science. He claims that his committee and the Ministry of Education and Culture will not support restrictions on men's access to such education, as it violates their constitutional right to education. Babak also answered the question of whether men aged 25+ studying in educational institutions can be mobilized. He noted that currently, if they study full-time or dually, they cannot be mobilized. However, he indicated that this could be changed if relevant decisions are made by the General Staff, the Ministry of Defense or the National Security and Defense Committee of the Verkhovna Rada, and changes in the legislation on mobilization. He emphasized that this will not violate the constitutional right to education, but will provide an opportunity to mobilize these people. Earlier, Oleksiy Danilov said that the Ministry of Education will decide on the purposefulness of obtaining a second higher education by men who are fit for military service and have the right to deferment from mobilization. He also emphasized that the growth of interest in the second higher education was recorded in the group of men aged 40-50 years and this issue has a moral aspect. He also noted that the number of people who want to get higher education has increased "many times" as a result of the war. Recently, Fedir Venislavskyi, a member of the parliamentary committee on national security, defense and intelligence, introduced a bill that proposes to cancel the deferment of mobilization for students. This bill applies to men who obtain a second or third higher education.
