Volunteer work of pupils and students is now considered an official practice
9 January 15:22
The Verkhovna Rada has passed Bill No. 11159, which gives volunteers the right to have their competencies recognized. This was announced by MP from the Voice faction Yaroslav Zheleznyak, Komersant ukrainskyi reports.
“298 deputies voted in favor.
The amendments cover the laws “On Education,” “On Complete General Secondary Education,” “On Higher Education,” and “On Volunteer Activity.”
“Volunteering in the specialty will be counted as an internship. Organizations can issue documents confirming participation in volunteer activities,” Zheleznyak said.
Volunteering experience will be taken into account when preparing a motivation letter for admission to educational institutions. In addition, school administrators will be required to promote volunteer initiatives among students.
The purpose of this draft law is to adapt Ukrainian legislation to EU standards in terms of recognizing the results of volunteer activities, developing a culture of social responsibility in society, particularly among young people, and increasing volunteer coverage.
What will change in the educational process
The Laws “On Education” and “On Complete General Secondary Education” now provide:
- Implementation of volunteering as part of the educational process.
- Creating conditions for the development and support of volunteering among participants in the educational process.
- Increasing the social prestige of volunteerism.
What will change in higher education
The Law “On Higher Education” now contains a definition of “motivation letter” that applicants must submit when applying for admission. The motivation letter may include information about achievements in volunteering, which emphasizes its importance in the development of competencies.
What are the changes for volunteers?
The Law “On Volunteer Activity” has also been amended:
- Volunteers will be able to receive official documents (certificates) confirming their activities, indicating the direction, period and number of hours worked.
- The time spent volunteering in a specialized area will now be counted as an internship for students of relevant specialties.
- Competencies gained during volunteering may be recognized as the results of non-formal or informal learning.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has been instructed to bring all legal acts in line with the new regulations within one month of their entry into force.
