UK apologises to Ukrainian child refugees who were told to study Russian

The UK government has apologized to Ukrainian child refugees for previously suggesting they study Russian instead of Ukrainian, announcing funding for a new GCSE in Ukrainian. Schools minister Georgia Gould expressed regret over the situation, emphasizing the importance of providing access to a Ukrainian GCSE, which will be available in 2028. This initiative follows advocacy from the Ukrainian government and community groups for over 30,000 Ukrainian children in the UK. Ukrainian education minister Andrii Butenko welcomed the announcement, highlighting its significance for children displaced by the war. Students expressed gratitude for the new qualification, viewing it as recognition of their experiences and cultural identity.