In Dnipropetrovsk region, a father threatened a teacher with "reprisal" after her report about children fleeing during an air raid alert

The issue of mutual respect among participants in the educational process and responsibility for improper behavior towards teachers gains special significance under martial law conditions, when educational institution staff bear increased responsibility for children's safety.

In case No. 179/1106/25, decided on June 11, 2026, by the Magdalynivka District Court of Dnipropetrovsk region, a dispute was considered regarding compensation for material and moral damage, which, according to the plaintiff, was caused by a conflict with a student's father after reporting the unauthorized departure of students from the lyceum territory during an air raid alert.

Case circumstances

The plaintiff worked as a teacher and class supervisor at the lyceum. During the air raid alert, a group of students, including the defendant's daughter, left the educational institution without permission and did not proceed to the shelter.

After the teacher became aware of the children's absence, she informed the parents in a closed Viber chat created for communication with students' parents.

The father of one of the students, outraged by the disclosure of his daughter's surname in the parents' chat, called the teacher's personal number and, using obscene language, threatened her with reprisal. He demanded an apology to his daughter in the presence of the school for unacceptable treatment of the child. He threatened to make efforts to dismiss the plaintiff from the educational institution with disgrace.

Soon after the conflict, the plaintiff sought medical help and underwent inpatient treatment diagnosed with compression ischemia of the facial nerve. She requested compensation from the defendant for treatment expenses and moral damages.

During the case review, witnesses were questioned, medical documents, written evidence, and an audio recording of the phone conversation were examined, which recorded the defendant's use of obscene language towards lyceum staff.

Local court's position

The court noted that Part 1 of Article 6 of the Law of Ukraine "On Education" establishes the foundations and principles of educational activity, including ensuring equal access to education without discrimination on any grounds, fostering respect for human rights and freedoms, intolerance to humiliation of honor and dignity, physical or psychological violence, as well as discrimination on any grounds, and ensuring and developing a safe and healthy educational environment in educational institutions.

Article 54 of the Law of Ukraine "On Education" stipulates that pedagogical, scientific-pedagogical, and scientific workers are obliged to protect education seekers during the educational process from any forms of physical and psychological violence, humiliation of honor and dignity, discrimination on any grounds, propaganda and agitation that harm the health of the education seeker, and to prevent the use of alcoholic beverages, narcotic substances, and other harmful habits by them and others on the territory of educational institutions.

The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine indicates that in case of an air raid alert, the teacher must stop classes and emphasize to students the necessity to proceed to a safe place. During the air raid alert, all students must be in the shelter.

The court drew attention to the fact that during children's stay in the educational institution, pedagogical workers bear responsibility for their life and health. The teacher is obliged to ensure the safety of education seekers during the educational process and control their compliance with safety rules and requirements.

At the same time, the court emphasized that in case a minor student leaves the educational institution premises, the teacher must make efforts, namely notify the parents about the child's absence from the educational institution without valid reasons.

Assessing the plaintiff's actions, the court concluded that the teacher properly informed the parents about the possible danger to the life and health of children who left the educational institution premises during the air raid alert.

The court also noted the standards of mutual respect in the educational environment and stated that the Law of Ukraine "On Education" enshrines that participants in the educational process are obliged to observe principles of mutual respect, respect for the honor and dignity of others.

Parents are obliged to respect the dignity, rights, freedoms, and legitimate interests of other participants in the educational process, including pedagogical workers.

The court established that the teacher suffered material damage expressed in the expenditure of a certain amount of money on treatment as a result of the conflict between her and the child's father.

In connection with the above, the court concluded to satisfy the compensation of damages in the amount of 16,639.44 UAH related to the plaintiff's treatment.

Evaluating the nature of the offense and the depth of physical and mental suffering, the court comes to the conclusion about the possibility of recovering moral damages from the defendant in favor of the plaintiff in the amount of 5,000.00 (five thousand hryvnias) UAH, which will be sufficient and proportionate.

Thus, based on the evidence examined, the court established that the plaintiff indeed suffered losses and harm due to the defendant's unlawful actions, which justifies partial satisfaction of the claim.

For further law enforcement, this decision is important as it confirms the obligation of teachers to inform parents about cases of unauthorized departure of students from the educational institution during an air raid alert, and also emphasizes the necessity for parents to respect the honor, dignity, and professional activity of pedagogical workers.

Additionally, read how a teacher was credited with 8 months of experience but was denied a pension recalculation: the court partially sided with the Pension Fund of Ukraine.

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