Kim assured that the reconstruction of gymnasium №2 would be completed next year, but did not answer whether funds had been allocated for this

Renovation of the building of Mykolaiv Gymnasium №2. Photo: NikVesti

Vitalii Kim, head of the Mykolaiv Regional Education Authority, has guaranteed that the restoration of gymnasium №2 will be completed next year. However, it is still unclear whether the money for the completion will be included in the state budget for 2026.

He said this in a commentary to NikVesti during a briefing at a workshop of the Association of Frontline Cities and Communities on Friday, 24 October.

It should be noted that in September it became known that the restoration of Gymnasium №2 had been suspended — the contract with the contractor was terminated due to the need to adjust the project documentation.

Support those who keep the city informed every day

Club NikVesti — a place where the reader and the editorial team are on the same side.

Members have access to a private chat, an exclusive newsletter with behind-the-scenes stories from journalists, see the news earlier, and influence the changes.

Join us. Together we keep the city bright

One-time support Monthly

€ 1 € 2 € 10

Donate

€ 2 € 5 € 10

Secure payment

The recipient of donations is the NGO “Mykolaiv Media Hub” (EDRPOU 45160758). By making a donation, you confirm that the amount is non-refundable and may be used by the NGO to implement its statutory activities, including supporting independent journalism and creating socially significant content. Public offer.

When asked by a journalist about the funds to complete the renovation of gymnasium №2 and lyceum №60 in Varvarivka, the head of Mykolaiv region said that decisions on the restoration of specific facilities are made by the fund managers, the Ministry.

«This is not exactly how it works. The money is allocated to the Ministry or the administrator who does this, and then the Ministry decides what exactly it will rebuild within the framework of this money. Therefore, the 2nd gymnasium is my initiative to complete it, and it will be completed,» said Vitalii Kim.

The journalist clarified whether this meant that there would be funds for the reconstruction. He replied:

«No. I mean, the second gymnasium is my initiative to rebuild, so it will be rebuilt,» he assured.

The restoration of the historic building of gymnasium №2 in Mykolaiv is one of the four facilities in the region for which the government allocated 1.2 billion hryvnias in 2024. Of this amount, 149.5 million hryvnias was allocated from the state budget for the restoration of the facility.

The tender for the works was won by «Zhiloprombud-8», which offered a price of 145.5 million hryvnias. According to the terms of the contract, the contractor had to complete the restoration by 31 December 2024, including the construction of a shelter and the restoration of the buildings after shelling.

However, as Yevhen Skarlat, head of the Department of Urban Development and Architecture at the Mykolaiv Regional Military Administration, reported in 2024, the work would not be completed on time. The completion of the repair was postponed to 2025.

Despite the delay in the restoration, the educational process has resumed. According to NikVesti, the Mykolaiv City Council's Education Department, students of Gymnasium №2 returned to their desks on 1 September 2024. Currently, children are studying in the primary school building, while the main building is undergoing reconstruction. During air raid alerts, schoolchildren are taken to an equipped shelter. In the event of reports of «mining», students are evacuated: parents pick them up within an hour, after which they continue to study online.

See also the article NikVesti: «The time has been lost for them». When will the students of the Mykolaiv gymnasium return to the desks of the rebuilt building?».