Key points
- The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is tightening security requirements for school and kindergarten employees.
- To work in a kindergarten, an extract from the Criminal Record Act is required.
- To work in a school, an additional certificate from the police is required confirming that there have been no violations related to bullying and child abuse.
- The new rules prevent the employment of persons who may pose a threat to children.
- The mechanism complies with Ukraine’s international obligations, in particular the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has adopted new employment rules in educational institutions to strengthen child safety. The decision was approved on 6 March 2026 at a meeting of the Cabinet of Ministers.
The new procedure establishes clear criteria for candidates applying for positions in preschools and general secondary education institutions.
Employers are now required to check:
- the presence of a criminal record for committing criminal offences or crimes against children;
- any administrative penalties for domestic violence, bullying, or failure to fulfil child-rearing responsibilities.
For employment in a preschool, a candidate must provide an extract from Diia confirming the absence of a criminal record. For school positions, a certificate from the National Police confirming no offences related to bullying or cruel treatment of children is also mandatory.
The mechanism aims to prevent the employment of individuals who may pose a threat to children and to promote the creation of a safe educational environment.
It is noted that the introduction of this procedure complies with Ukraine’s international obligations, including the provisions of the UN Convention on the Rights of the Child.
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