This year has been a period of transition for the Ukrainian education system, moving from a strategy of survival to the implementation of systemic changes. Despite the challenges of full-scale war, state policy focused on creating a safe space and simultaneously developing human capital. The government implemented a series of reforms covering all levels, from preschool to higher education, laying the foundation for the country’s long-term recovery.
Changes in the content of education and professional autonomy
The transformation of the educational process began with the youngest children, for whom a new State Standard for Preschool Education was approved. This document defines uniform guidelines for child development. At the same time, a pilot reform of secondary schools was launched, involving thirty lyceums in nineteen regions. The institutions are already working according to new model programs, implementing the “Education for Life” policy. The procedures for checking the quality of textbooks were also adjusted to better take into account the needs of students and teachers, and communication was established with children who are abroad or in occupied territories.
The field of vocational education has undergone significant changes. The new law has reduced the bureaucratic burden on institutions and given them greater financial and managerial autonomy. The strengthening of the role of supervisory boards and business allows for faster adaptation of training programs to the real needs of the labor market. In the scientific sphere, priorities are shifting towards defense needs and economic recovery, as enshrined in relevant legislative initiatives.
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Financial support for teachers and young scientists
An important component of the changes was a new vision for the remuneration of educators. The state budget for 2026 provides for a two-stage increase in salaries for teachers and scientific and pedagogical workers: 30% from January 1 and another 20% from September 1. Special allowances for working in unfavorable conditions are also retained, with higher payments for teachers in frontline areas.
The approach to professional development is changing. A model called “Money follows the teacher” is being introduced, implemented through the Vector platform. This allows teachers to choose their own professional development courses. The state has also regulated the recognition of work experience for teachers working abroad. There’s a special focus on supporting young scientists: grants and presidential scholarships for them have been increased fivefold, and a mandatory quota has been set for funding their projects in ministry competitions.
Safe infrastructure and digitalization
The safety of participants in the educational process remains a basic condition for learning. Over the past two years, investments in construction and equipment have reached 22.56 billion hryvnia. These funds have made it possible to build nearly a hundred underground school shelters and modernize school cafeterias. To strengthen military and patriotic education, nearly a thousand equipped centers for the discipline “Defense of Ukraine” have been created. Vocational education institutions have received modern equipment as part of the creation of new workshops, and universities are developing innovative infrastructure through the CampeX project.
System management is becoming more technological. Thousands of schools have already joined the Mriya educational ecosystem. Digitalization has also simplified bureaucratic procedures, in particular with the launch of a service for automatically obtaining deferrals from mobilization. International partners are providing support for these large-scale changes. Cooperation with the World Bank and European institutions has made it possible to attract record amounts of funding for reforms and infrastructure restoration, accelerating the integration of Ukrainian education into the European space.
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