Challenging the High School Overhaul
Ruslan Sheremeta, a history teacher at Odesa Lyceum "Mykhailivsky," has openly criticized the government's planned high school reform, presenting his own vision for curriculum design and teacher compensation. Ukraine's Minister of Education and Science, Oksen Lisovyi, confirmed on April 8 that the reform remains a priority, noting that 85% of parents support it. The official academic year in Ukraine runs until June 30, 2026.
Sheremeta, who holds degrees in both engineering and history, argues that the current reform model may be too restrictive for students. He suggests that primary school should cover grades 1 through 6, similar to Germany's system, followed by a clear choice between vocational or academic tracks.
Yes, all children are different, with diverse talents and abilities. But we must design a system that gives everyone the chance to continue their education later on.
Ruslan Sheremeta
Sheremeta further stressed that vocational training should not become a dead end. The system, he says, must allow students to gain a profession while also pursuing academic education.
Rethinking Teacher Salaries
In his critique, Sheremeta called for a major overhaul of teacher pay, stating that "this reform should have started 30 years ago." He proposes that teachers be compensated not just for the number of lessons they teach, but at double that rate. The base salary for a young teacher without bonuses is just over eight thousand hryvnias, prompting the question: "Who would work for that kind of money?"
According to government resolution No. 1003, the academic year in Ukraine will last until June 30, 2026, with the 2025/2026 school year having started on September 1. This end date is a maximum, not a requirement; each school's pedagogical council decides on the last bell and holidays based on workload, regional safety conditions, and the well-being of students and staff. The education minister has reaffirmed the government's commitment to the reform, which focuses on upper secondary education and enjoys broad parental support.
Sheremeta's criticism of the high school reform highlights the need to adapt the education system to students' needs and modern challenges. His proposals for changing the learning model and boosting teacher salaries could spark debate among educators, parents, and government bodies. At the same time, the widespread parental backing of the reform shows that society expects changes that will deliver a higher quality of education for children.
As the discussion around educational reforms intensifies, it's essential to understand the implications of the government's proposed changes. Many students in Ukraine will soon experience various school formats as part of this overhaul. For a deeper insight into how these reforms will reshape the educational landscape, explore the different school types that Ukrainian students will encounter.