Illegal ‘Orthodox school’ using Soviet textbooks and Russian films discovered in Kyiv

An underground school called “Perspektiva” was discovered in Kyiv, operating at the “Holosiivska Pustyn” monastery. The educational institution has over 60 children, and a comprehensive academic program with tests and grades has been established. Although the director of the institution calls it a “family club”, in fact, this educational institution operates without a corresponding license, using Soviet textbooks and cultural materials of the Russian Federation.

The underground school called “Perspektiva” is located at the “Holosiivska Pustyn” monastery of the Ukrainian Orthodox Church of the Moscow Patriarchate, and it presents itself as a “family club”. However, in reality, the institution operates as a regular school, where children study from Monday to Friday, from 9:00 to 14:00, participate in extended-day groups, and take tests and receive grades.

Journalists from “Slidstva.Info” have established that the school has over 60 students in grades 1-9. 16 teachers provide education, and students are formally enrolled in licensed Ukrainian schools but do not attend classes there.

The institution’s educational program is designed according to the Soviet model: four primary school classes have been reduced to three, and the arithmetic textbooks are dated 1966. In addition to regular subjects, students study the “Slavic language” (Russian), music, and watch Russian films. Senior students perform Soviet songs.

Principal Anna Bolhova reported that the school operates under its own program and is not subject to state control, raising concerns among education experts. Ivanna Kobernyk, co-founder of the public organization “Smart Education”, believes that the school’s activities are part of the “Russian world” on Ukrainian territory, and called on the Security Service of Ukraine to intervene. The educational institution continues its activities despite violations of state education standards.