In 2025, all Ukrainian schoolchildren are expected to receive free meals, according to Zelensky.

By 2025, all Ukrainian school students are expected to receive free meals. This directive was issued to the Cabinet of Ministers by President Volodymyr Zelensky. The head of state announced this during his speech in the Verkhovna Rada on Tuesday, November 19.

"This year, we introduced free meals for all Ukrainian children from first to fourth grade. I instructed the government to ensure free meals for all Ukrainian school students next year," the president stated.

Zelensky also emphasized the importance of safety in educational institutions, particularly in schools across the country.

"A police officer in schools is a must. A police officer in society is a must. People need to see and know who guarantees their and their children's safety," he noted.

As part of the safety measures in the "Resilience Plan," which Zelensky presented to parliament, metal detectors are to be installed at the entrances of schools and other educational institutions, as well as public buildings. Officials, regional authorities, and local governments must provide clear timelines for the implementation of this project for the safety of Ukrainians.

Recall that on October 4, the Ministry of Education announced the introduction of free meals for primary school students for the year 2024. The budget allocated 2 billion hryvnias, which were transferred to local communities in the form of a subsidy.

On November 8, Prime Minister Denys Shmyhal announced a monthly "teacher's supplement" to educators' salaries starting from January 1, 2025, amounting to 1,000 hryvnias. From September, this payment is planned to increase to 2,000 UAH.