Ukrainian students leaving country en masse before national exam: What's behind the trend?
Ukrainian high school students leaving country ahead of national exam (Illustrative photo: Getty Images)
Ukrainian education is currently witnessing a growing trend of high school students leaving the country — not only boys, but girls as well. This was stated by Serhiy Kvit, President of the National University of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy and former Minister of Education.
There is currently no official data in Ukraine on how many graduating students are leaving the country. However, Education Ombudsperson Nadia Leshchyk recently stated that the number of 11th-grade students attending school in person has been declining throughout the year. Many students are reportedly going abroad before graduation — driven by security concerns and rumors of a possible lowering of the draft age.
Serhiy Kvit confirms this trend but adds that, despite it, the number of applicants to Kyiv-Mohyla Academy continues to grow each year.
"We shouldn't worry about things beyond our control… The real issue is creating a reason for them to return. We must make people who have left understand that this is where real self-realization is possible — that the country is changing, that reforms are ongoing, that we are transforming and moving from good to better," Kvit said.
In Kvit's view, young people will return to Ukraine if they have a strong internal motivation to do so. Even during wartime, it is crucial to maintain a reason for coming back — a belief in change, opportunities for self-realization, and a future in the country.
For students who genuinely want to study abroad, Kvit recommends choosing international master's programs. In his opinion, undergraduate studies are better pursued in Ukraine to maintain a connection with social realities and preserve a sense of belonging.
"It's not ideal when students immediately enroll in Western universities. I would recommend choosing a master's program abroad, not a bachelor's. Because if it's an undergraduate program, the person becomes disconnected from social realities and begins to think in different terms. And very often, the result is that we lose that person," said the president of Kyiv-Mohyla Academy.
At the same time, Kvit acknowledges that Ukrainian universities currently cannot compete with their European or American counterparts. And it's not only about the quality of education — although academic programs in Ukraine often leave much to be desired.
"As for the quality of education, I wouldn't be too harsh. We have a weak system, but paradoxically, we sometimes produce very strong graduates. There are various reasons for that, which are worth discussing. And the quality of undergraduate programs at good Ukrainian universities is actually quite decent," Kvit explained.
