Parents do not have to buy printed notebooks, they have the right to influence the choice of school uniform, and they will help the child if they set up a routine together with him before September 1. The Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, Liliya Hrynevych, said this on the air of the "Breakfast with 1+1" program today, July 31, 2018.

"I would like to warn parents that you are not at all obliged, for example, to buy some additional printed notebooks if you are told to pay for it. You can also write in a regular notebook, the main thing is that there is a textbook or a handout from the teacher. It is about the fact that very often various businesses revolve around studying at school. And these offers - and to buy, and that, and that - are very often stimulated from the outside in order to make money. Therefore, it is necessary to take a very critical approach to this," said Liliya Hrynevych.

The minister also raised the issue of school uniforms - schools cannot force parents to buy uniforms from specific manufacturers, and parents should be allowed to decide on the issue of the introduction and format of school uniforms in the institution.

"Of course, the school has the right to decide what school uniform it has. As a rule, your child cannot be forced to buy a specific school uniform, but they agree, for example, that they wear dark bottoms and a light shirt, and the color or cut is not particularly important. What parents also need to remember - you are adults and should have an influence on these issues at school," Liliya Hrynevych explained.

She also advised parents already now - in August - to gradually return their children to their usual daily schedule, so that this does not become additional stress for the schoolchild at the beginning of school.

"We are approaching August - the last summer month. We have quite a long summer vacation. And it is clear that children need to adjust the routine of the day. Because in September they will have to get up early, go to school, there is a certain tension, and this regime needs to be corrected now," noted Liliya Hrynevych.

What is no less important is to help children at least partially return to the learning material in order to relieve them during the next school year.

"Of course, it would be good in the last month of vacation to return the child to the learning material at least a little. But everything should be done in moderation. If it is an hour of time a day or a little more, if it is an older student, such things are necessary. First of all, because our brain is like muscles, if we train it - it stays in shape, if not - then it will be more difficult. For example, with children, depending on the age category, it is worth repeating mathematical operations, it is also worth reading large and complex programming works for the next year during the summer, so that it will be easier later. And it is worth remembering about it now, while there is still a whole month of vacation ahead, so as not to do everything in the last week," added the Minister.