In Kyiv, the Francophone community is growing, as a rule thanks to businessmen and embassy employees. But this does not mean that it is represented only by Frenchmen: immigrants from various countries speak French and want to teach their children this language. The Anne of Kyiv College (Col l ` ege Fran Н ais Anne de Kiev), comprised of a primary school and junior high, is part of the National Agency for French Education Abroad (AEFE) network. It has been functioning on the premises of Kyiv’s school No. 118 since September 2007. Until recently it has operated according to the license issued by the chief department of the Kyiv City State Administration, which enabled its pupils to study the French curriculum.
A few days ago another type of recognition was marked in Kyiv: the school finally received accreditation from France’s Ministry of National Education. The French ambassador to Ukraine, the school staff, children, and their parents are very proud that their school certificates will now be valid in Ukraine and other countries.
“Until now only the lower elementary grades at Anne de Kiev, which was officially recognized in 1995, had an official license from the French education ministry. Now this permit has been extended to pupils in grades three to six,” explained Philippe Hedoux, the president of the Association of Parents whose children are studying in this school. “We have done plenty of work to make this possible, particularly renovations. Since the beginning of the school year 24 children from France, Morocco, and Egypt have been studying in our middle school. There are several children from Ukraine. The reason behind our enlargement is that more and more French companies are opening here, French families with children are arriving, and they want their children to study according to the French school curriculum.”
Although the pupils in this school study within the walls of a Ukrainian school and have every opportunity to obtain our education in addition, they clearly stand out from Ukrainian children by their non-Slavic appearance, style of clothing, and, their knowledge of several languages (English and French; some children know Spanish, and others — Arabic). As the head teacher Maryna Mystyshyna explained, the children study here until they are 15 or 16, so the question of continuing their education is already emerging. Teachers and parents, who are closely cooperating with the college, are thinking about their children’s future education and are already planning to open a lyceum based at the college. They have the full support of France’s Ambassador to Ukraine Jean-Paul Veziant.
“The fact that a French educational establishment exists within the walls of a Ukrainian school is a very important event, and if the question arises, we will support the creation of a European-type French educational establishment in Kyiv,” the ambassador said. “Official recognition by France’s Ministry of National Education means that this institution is a full-fledged link in the French educational system and adheres to its principles and curriculum. It guarantees access to a high- quality education for French families that either live here or are planning to come here for permanent residence.”
France’s representatives are very grateful to those who were involved in establishing the school and who are already busy working on the opening of a second class. There is much work left to complete: renovations are still underway and new furniture has to be purchased. As Philippe Hedoux said, the school is continuing to count on the financial support of French businessmen (some funding has already been received), a constructive dialogue with the Ukrainian authorities, and the understanding of the French Embassy in Ukraine.
