The Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada Olena Kondratiuk visited Odesa. She took part in the celebrations on the occasion of the beginning of the new academic year and the 15th anniversary of the foundation of the Vice Admiral Volodymyr Bezkorovainyi Naval Lyceum.
“Our schoolchildren, students, teachers and professors are greeting the Day of Knowledge and the start of the new academic year with air raid alerts, enemy missiles and drones. We must support our education! This is how we fight for Ukrainian children! Today I am in Odesa. I am once again supporting the Vice Admiral Volodymyr Bezkorovainyi Naval Lyceum,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
The lyceum was founded 15 years ago in Ukrainian Sevastopol. In 2014, during the illegal occupation of Crimea by russia, the educational institution was relocated to Odesa.
“The military profession is a dignified and noble one. This dignity, this honour of the officer's rank should be nurtured from the very first educational institutions. To do this, we need to create decent learning conditions. A year ago, together with my team and volunteers from the Baltic countries, including Latvia, we started helping the lyceum. We have managed to do a lot,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
In particular, the joint efforts resulted in 2 new buses, a boat and diving kits being donated to the lyceum. A summer practice in Latvia was organised for the cadets in accordance with NATO standards, and a bomb shelter was equipped. On her own behalf, the Vice Speaker of the Verkhovna Rada replenished the lyceum's library with new books and textbooks.
“Today the lyceum received another valuable gift. Together with the Commander of the Ukrainian Navy Oleksii Neizhpapa and the Head of Odesa Regional Military Administration Oleh Kiper, we opened new modules – a canteen and a food warehouse. This means that the catering for the lyceum students should improve significantly. Together with the Ministry of Defence, we will closely monitor this,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
Another reason for pride is that girls study at the lyceum on an equal footing with boys.
“My colleagues and I started fighting for the right of women to receive military education 10 years ago. Back then, no one believed we would succeed. Today, 34 girls study at the lyceum. 18 girls from this year's graduating class entered higher education institutions. Of these, 13 have entered military institutes. This is an example of how any goal can be achieved. Even if it seems unrealistic at first,” said Olena Kondratiuk.
She also wished the lyceum students successful studies and a speedy victory in the war.
“Today I saw young girls and boys – 15-17 years old! In their eyes, modesty is combined with courage, diligence and dignity. This is how the future of the Ukrainian Navy is growing,” summed up the Deputy Chairperson of the Verkhovna Rada.