The Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Oksen Lisovyi, stated that the right to education for individuals over 25 should not be a way to avoid military obligations.

He expressed this opinion during a meeting with university rectors in the Lviv region, as mentioned in his social media post.

Lisovyi added that Ukraine needs to create conditions under which the right to education does not become a mechanism for abuse. Furthermore, he emphasized that university leaders are responsible for the students enrolled in their institutions.

"The right to education is not an indulgence from the duty to defend the state [...] This is not just a matter of legality, but also of honor, professional reputation, and civic responsibility," the minister believes.

It should be noted that in 2024, compared to the previous two years, the number of men over 25 enrolling in higher education institutions in Ukraine has decreased.

Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykhailo Vynnytskyi attributed the decline in male student enrollment to changes in the rules for obtaining deferments, which now apply only to those pursuing education continuously.

Additionally, from April to August 2024, more than 23,000 male students over 30 were expelled from universities due to academic failure or absenteeism.