Ukraine's Education Reform
Ukraine's comprehensive education overhaul, known as the New Ukrainian School (NUS), began in 2012. This ambitious reform will restructure schools into three distinct levels: primary, lower secondary, and specialized upper secondary. A critical milestone is the planned launch of the specialized upper secondary schools on September 1, 2027. To prepare, 150 pilot schools will be introduced a year earlier, starting September 1, 2026, serving as a foundation for the nationwide changes. This reform is a key part of Ukraine's broader efforts to modernize its institutions and align with European standards.
According to Order No. 408 dated April 20, 2018, the current State Standard for Basic and Complete General Secondary Education will officially expire on September 1, 2026, though its provisions will remain in effect until 2028. Local councils must approve plans for their educational institution networks by September 1, 2024, while founders are required to establish and ensure the operation of lyceums by September 1, 2027. Progress has been slow; by the end of 2025, only 39% of communities had approved their educational networks, with another 36% still in the public discussion phase.
Challenges and Obstacles
The implementation of new learning standards is creating difficulties for parents and students.
"Parents are currently appealing en masse to the Educational Ombudsman and education management bodies, requesting that their children be allowed to finish their education in the same institution where they started," noted Nadiia Leshchyk, the Educational Ombudsman.She further emphasized that "the absence of an educational institution within a community does not relieve the local self-government body of its obligation to create conditions for children residing in that community to receive a complete general secondary education."
The upper secondary reform is a vital final stage for the entire NUS project and for Ukraine's integration into the European educational space.
"The high school reform is a crucial final step; without it, the full implementation of the New Ukrainian School reform as a whole is impossible," stated Nadiia Leshchyk.It is also important that, under the new requirements, primary, lower secondary, and upper secondary schools must operate separately, as stressed by Member of Parliament Nataliia Pipa.
The systemic changes also affect the subjects included in the National Multi-Subject Test (NMT), which covers the Ukrainian language, mathematics, history of Ukraine, a foreign language, and an elective subject based on specialization. However, as Nataliia Pipa reported, "No decision on this has been made today. I can confidently say that this year's ninth-graders will not take the NMT."
Persistent issues include student transportation, particularly in the Zakarpattia, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Chernivtsi regions, and a shortage of teachers for English, mathematics, and physical education. Results from the 2022 PISA international assessment highlight significant learning gaps:
- 42% of students fail to reach the baseline level in mathematics,
- 41% in reading,
- and 34% in science.
The inequality between rural and urban schools remains a serious concern, with a learning gap that can equate to nearly five years of schooling.
Ukraine's education reform is an ongoing process requiring concerted effort from all participants in the educational system. The NUS reform aims not only to modernize Ukraine's educational framework but also to facilitate the country's integration into the European educational community. Deadlines like September 1, 2026, are critical for the successful rollout of planned changes, including the formation of educational networks. In light of these shifts, it is imperative for local authorities to actively ensure proper learning conditions, as the quality of education for future generations depends on it. Highlighted issues such as educational inequality and teacher shortages demand urgent resolution to ensure the reform positively impacts all aspects of the educational process.
As Ukraine's education system undergoes significant restructuring, the government's focus on prioritizing key professions is evident in other sectors as well. For instance, the recent shift in university funding aims to enhance support for essential fields, reflecting a broader strategy to align educational outcomes with labor market needs. This interconnected approach underscores the importance of educational reforms in shaping a skilled workforce for the future.