Law of Ukraine “On Preschool Education”

According to Part 3 of Article 33 of the Law of Ukraine “On Preschool Education,” children affected by military actions and armed conflicts are entitled to free meals in educational institutions. This provision applies to preschool-aged children impacted by armed conflicts and other disasters, including those with the status of internally displaced persons or those affected by the Chornobyl disaster. The law also guarantees baby food for infants and young children from low-income families.

The funding for these social guarantees is provided by the state, and the procedure for providing such services is determined by the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine. This provision is part of a broader policy of social protection for vulnerable categories of children, aimed at ensuring their basic needs in the context of war or armed conflict.

The law is a significant component of the legal framework aimed at supporting children in difficult life circumstances related to war. However, there are concerns about the full and timely implementation of these provisions at the local level due to resource shortages and organizational difficulties in educational institutions, particularly under martial law conditions.