New Requirements for Job Applicants in Ukrainian Educational Institutions
Ukraine has introduced stricter hiring criteria for positions in schools and kindergartens. Applicants must now provide a certificate confirming they have no criminal record and have not been involved in bullying or child abuse. The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine initiated these changes to enhance safety within educational settings.
Under the new rules, the necessary documents proving the absence of a criminal record or administrative offenses can be obtained via the Diia app. This is intended to streamline the candidate screening process for educational roles. Employment may be denied to candidates with a criminal conviction for offenses against children, or to those who have faced administrative penalties for:
- domestic violence,
- bullying,
- or failure to fulfill child-rearing responsibilities.
These reforms are part of a broader effort to modernize child protection systems in Ukraine's public institutions. The changes aim to create a safer educational environment by preventing individuals who pose a potential threat from working with children.
Enhanced Monitoring of Student Attendance
Separately, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has mandated that schools must report student absenteeism to the police. This step is designed to strengthen oversight of school attendance and facilitate rapid information sharing between schools, child services, and the National Police.
“The proposed mechanism will prevent the employment of individuals who may pose a threat to children in educational institutions and will contribute to the formation of a safe educational environment.” - Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine
The primary goal of these measures is to establish a unified digital system for rapid response in cases where a child stops attending school or disappears from the educational process.
These new regulations represent a significant step toward improving child safety in Ukraine's schools. The stricter requirements for educational staff and the enhanced student attendance monitoring mechanisms could substantially reduce risks related to bullying and violence. By simplifying the document acquisition process through the Diia app, the changes are also expected to bring greater transparency and efficiency to the selection of teaching personnel.