The Georgian Education Minister, Mikheil Chkhenkeli, welcomed the students at the school - which is named after a prominent Ukrainian academician of the 20th century - and offered his congratulations on the opening of the native language sector.

“The opening of the Ukrainian-speaking sector is a clear example of the great support of our brotherly Ukrainian nation by the Government of Georgia and the Georgian people. The Ukrainian sector ceased to function at Tbilisi No. 41 Public School in 2011, and today I am very proud that for the first time in 11 years, thanks to the efforts of our Government, Ukrainian students in Georgia again have the opportunity to learn their mother tongue,” - Chkhenkeli said at the ceremony on Monday.

Reportedly, 130 students had expressed interest in joining the Ukrainian language sector at the school, adding qualified teachers had been selected for all classes from professionals recently arriving from Ukraine as well as local Ukrainian-speaking educators. Their selection was facilitated in close cooperation with the Embassy of Ukraine.

Andriy Kasyanov, the Chargé d'Affaires of Ukraine in Georgia, also attended the opening of the classes for Ukrainian students at the public school, with the diplomatic extending his gratitude to the Prime Minister of Georgia and the Minister of Education for their support. 

The Ukrainian sector is being established in Georgia with an official status for the first time since 1999, with all subjects to be taught to students on elementary, basic and intermediate levels in their native language.