May the Teacher’s word save Ukraine!
Appeal
of the Public Council of Educators and Scientists of Ukraine
to colleagues from the East and South of Ukraine
Dear brothers! Dear colleagues!
Due to the efforts of the criminal oligarchy, our Motherland is on the verge of division and war. And at this time, those who sow intelligent, good and eternal must have their say! Your pupils and students, students and graduate students will listen to you and the teachers. We must tell them the truth. The truth that crime in Ukraine is rampant, that the previous government reduced its citizens to poverty and lawlessness. The people did not agree with this. Those who lost began behind-the-scenes games, pedaling the idea of federalization, and the former president, in order to keep the loot, even asked Russia to send troops into Ukraine, thus contributing to the destruction of his people.
We must do everything with you to stop the bloodshed, to prevent the split of Ukraine. It is not allowed to sit in classes and classrooms. It is necessary to cool the hot heads on the Maidan of those who carried out the February revolution, as well as those who, as if defending themselves, resort to actions that can lead to the division of the country. We are fully in solidarity with the peaceful demonstrations of citizens, with student youth, who are advocating for the affirmation of European identity, the values of law and freedom. The split of Ukraine is age-old poverty and hopelessness.
Ukraine’s perspective is integration into the European and world educational space, active participation in international scientific processes. And we can do this only when there is peace, when we are together. After all, the global world is constantly developing. Leading the way are those countries that put innovation as the basis of development, that relied on the knowledge economy.
The world is uniting, but why do we have to separate? Is it because of the fact that Yanukovych and his ilk rule the country again, so that the oligarchs crackle with fat?
We must not allow the division of Ukraine through various referenda, the entry of certain regions into another country.
We urge you, dear colleagues, to bring the truth to your pupils, students, and their parents about the situation in the country. It is necessary for the voice of educators to be heard in every city, village and district.
Once upon a time, our great-grandfathers called the Kyiv prince Yaroslav the Wise because he supported literacy, education, and printed books. Let’s help our rulers to be wise.
I want to ask my colleagues in Crimea not to give in to sweet promises and to keep Crimea as part of Ukraine. This, first of all, is needed by the residents of Crimea. Because leaving Ukraine means instability and tension, confrontation that will lead to impoverishment. We cannot allow this!
We call on the central government to immediately sit down at the negotiating table with the communities of the East and South, to do everything for a peaceful exit from the crisis.
We also appeal to the new Ukrainian Government. You cannot get out of the crisis at the expense of schools and universities, kindergartens and vocational schools. Such savings will cost us dearly.
May the words of the Ukrainian teacher calm the student body, sow faith and confidence in our future, help preserve the unity and well-being of the Ukrainian people.
With deep respect and faith in you
Stanislav Nikolayenko
Chairman of the Public Council of Educators and Scientists of Ukraine
