During the war, extracurricular activities should strengthen the resilience of children and their families. This was stated by Iryna Vereshchuk, Deputy Prime Minister - Minister for Reintegration of the Temporarily Occupied Territories, during the official opening of the All-Ukrainian Forum "Out-of-School Education 2023: Challenges and Solutions".

The event is dedicated to the Extracurricular Activities Day, which is celebrated annually on 25 September. This holiday aims to draw attention to the realisation of children's rights to out-of-school education.

The forum brought together representatives of the Government, MPs, educators and scientists. Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi joined the event. 

In her welcoming speech, the Deputy Prime Minister highlighted the importance of developing a methodology for the proper functioning of psychosocial support for children on the ground. Educators should join forces at the level of regions and communities to influence decision-making, the official said.

She reminded that each Regional Military Administration has Coordination Centres for Civilian Support. According to the Minister for Reintegration of Temporarily Occupied Territories, such centres should include the heads of the State Centres for Extracurricular Education.

"In times of war, extracurricular education has become especially important. That is why I sincerely thank everyone who, despite everything, continues to care about the education and upbringing of our children," said Iryna Vereshchuk.