Insults, threats and even "jokes": why the police can now be called at school

Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has approved updated rules for responding to bullying and the application of educational measures in educational institutions. This was reported on 12 August 2026 by the press service of the Ministry of Education and Science (MON).

From now on all cases of violence, cruel treatment of children and suspected bullying will be considered by one commission. Previously there were two separate mechanisms for this. The head of an educational institution must review a registered report within one day. If signs of violence are detected, they must immediately, but no later than three hours, inform the National Police and the Service for Children.

Possible manifestations of violence include:

• insults, threats, humiliation, intimidation and stalking;
• deprivation of property or obstruction of access to educational services;
• unwanted gestures, jokes or nicknames of a sexual nature;
• distribution of intimate materials;
• pushing, hitting and other unwanted physical actions.

At the same time the school commission will not establish the fact of bullying — only a court can do that. The commission must clarify the circumstances, assess the child’s needs, organize support and determine the necessary educational measures.

The child will have the right to be heard in accordance with their age and level of maturity. Their position will be recorded. The conversation should take place with the participation of parents or legal representatives and a psychologist or a social pedagogue. Without parents present the child may be heard with the parents’ written consent. Systematic violence is considered violence that occurred two or more times within 12 months. The first incident will be taken into account even if it was not officially reported.

Each educational institution must adopt its own regulations on preventing violence, appoint a person responsible for registering reports and keep a record of them. Reports can be submitted by phone, email or through a special drop box. Anonymous reports are also allowed. The commission must also monitor the implementation of its decisions. If the measures defined do not help, they should be reviewed and adjusted. The full text of the order can be found in the Register of Normative Legal Acts.

Reminder: previously we wrote:

• Two children become victims of bullying every day: the Ukrainian school in crisis
• For bullying of a seventh-grader in Mykolaivskyi district, police held the mother and the principal accountable
• Bullying disguised as a trend: a lyceum in Mykolaiv region reacted to humiliating videos with teachers on TikTok
• Children of TCC employees began to be bullied in schools: they are being marked with offensive inscriptions