Ukraine Considers Draft Deferment Rules Amid Surge in adult ⁣Students

KYIV, Ukraine – The Ukrainian Cabinet of Ministers has approved a bill amending the law “On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization,” addressing draft deferments for students amid a notable increase in older men enrolling in universities since the start of the full-scale war with Russia.

influx of Older Students raises Concerns

In the months following the February 2022 ‍invasion, Ukrainian higher ⁣education institutions⁢ saw a meaningful rise in ⁢male students aged 25 to 60, many opting for ‍full-time programs. This trend ⁤sparked debate about the ⁣use‍ of education as a ⁢means to avoid military service.

Statistics highlight ⁣the ‍shift. In 2021, out of 223,000 bachelor’s degree applicants, 4,479 were men aged 25-60. By 2022, this number jumped ⁤to 24,377 out of ⁤236,000 total applicants – a five-fold increase. The trend continued⁣ in 2023, with 53,056 older students among 281,000 applicants, representing nearly a fifth of all new students.

The number of ⁤men enrolling in‍ contract-based programs also‍ increased,⁤ with those aged 30-39 increasing fourteenfold and those over 40 increasing seventeenfold ‍compared to pre-war figures.

Legal Loophole ‍Addressed

Under existing law,⁤ full-time students are‍ generally granted deferments from military service.Though, the original law ⁢”On Mobilization Preparation and Mobilization” lacked‍ specific restrictions, creating potential legal challenges based on constitutional rights to ⁢education.

A law enacted in May 2024‍ aimed to⁣ tighten restrictions, denying deferments to those pursuing a⁤ second or third degree, or⁣ a lower qualification than they already ⁢hold. However, gaps remained ‍regarding the status of students in general, prompting the government to propose further ⁢amendments.

Government Seeks to ⁢Clarify Regulations

“We recommended changes to the law of ukraine on mobilization. The ⁣purpose of proposals from our ministry is to reduce the‍ risks of using education as a way of ‍evading mobilization,” said Oksen Lesova, minister of Education and Science.

University Perspectives

Sergey Shulga, dean of the faculty of ⁢radiophysics, biomedical electronics and computer systems at Kharkiv ⁢National University,⁤ acknowledged the issue.”If a person ⁣goes to the magistracy, it’s okay, if an adult man enters the first year with 17-year-olds… Everything is clear ⁤here,” he ⁤said, suggesting legislative limits on the admission of men aged 25 to 60 during martial law.

Sergey Voichenko, a managing partner in the Voichenko and Dulsky law association, noted that constitutional rights, including the right to education,⁢ can⁣ be restricted⁣ during martial law under⁢ special legislation.

Proposed Changes

The government bill focuses ⁤on amending Article 23 of the Law of Ukraine “On Mobilization Training and Mobilization,” addressing deferments for students in vocational schools and colleges. The proposed norms include:

• Deferments for those under 25 at the time of enrollment.
• Deferments for⁣ those pursuing thier ⁣first educational level in a ⁣full-time or dual-training program.

For higher education applicants, the bill largely mirrors the existing law on strengthening mobilization, granting deferments to those pursuing their first degree at each level (bachelor’s, master’s, doctoral). However, individuals with a master’s degree are not exempt if they enroll for a bachelor’s degree.

Looking⁤ Ahead

the government bill is expected to be submitted to the Verkhovna Rada soon. Current students will retain their deferments,as‍ the ‍law is not retroactive.