When Irena Korbabicz-Putko started her job as a principal of Kyiv’s Novopecherska School in 2014 she had an ambitious plan. She wanted the school to offer a dual Ukrainian-Canadian high school diploma that could be recognized by the Canadian system. Her dream has become a reality.
In early June, the Manitoba government signed a memorandum of understanding with Novopecherska School. The agreement allows students to enroll in a blended program and earn a Canadian high school diploma.
“Manitoba is proud of its strong ties to Ukraine and excited for this new partnership that will allow students in Kyiv to study the Manitoba curriculum,” Manitoba Education and Training Minister Kelvin Goertzen said on June 3. He hopes that high school students who graduate with a Manitoba diploma will consider Canada for post-secondary studies.
The agreement between Manitoba and Novopecherska School is the first Canada-Ukraine bilateral agreement that supports a dual program leading to a high school diploma.
The process of getting a license wasn’t easy. The school filed its initial application in 2014. “It has been a joined effort of Novopecherska community and Canadian-Ukrainian diaspora,” said Korbabicz-Putko. “It required a significant amount of good will and precision between the two systems to arrive at a final product.”
The school also had to meet requirements, such as having a Manitoba Department of Education-certified principal and teachers. The curriculum had to satisfy the requirements of the Department of Education in Ukraine as well. Finally, all the students enrolled need to pass compulsory Manitoba exams — mathematics and English in the final year of high school.
Canadian education with Ukrainian heart
The blending of the two curriculum “allows students to expand their knowledge and skills by learning two programs in equal and respectful ways,” Korbabicz-Putko, a third-generation Ukrainian-Canadian, said. “We wanted to have a program that integrates children into a worldwide educational system and prepares them to be global citizens. To achieve this, it is important to have education that meets world standards, but also do not forget about our Ukrainian heart.”
The four-year program includes compulsory subjects as well as basic ones necessary for university entry. The Manitoba program offers such subjects as English for academic use, career development, Canada’s history and geography on top of the standard Ukrainian curriculum.
The program is popular already.
In 2018 — the pilot year of the program — 26 students enrolled. This year, 20 students are enrolled in year one of the program and 23 in year two. “At least two students have been on a waiting list for the year one class should spots become available,” said Robert Bend, who curates the blended program at Novopecherska School.
To ensure quality, Department of Education in Manitoba will complete annual on-site inspections.
Pricey studies
Parents who want this Western-style schooling must be prepared to spend a lot. Yearly tuition for those who are already students of Novopecherska stands at $4,500. The program is also available for students from other Ukrainian schools for $7,000 a year.
The main language of the school is Ukrainian, children can learn languages with native speakers. The school also issues progress report cards.
Novopecherska aims to produce business-minded students for employers who “require organizational skills, problem solving, teamwork,” the principal said.
The curriculum is demanding, said Bend. “It is engaging, and challenges students to think critically. The academic focus of the program sets high expectations for the students and will prepare them for university in Ukraine and abroad.”
