Stefanchuk proposed salary increases for teachers and lecturers: when and how much

In the draft State Budget for 2026, a phased salary increase of 50% for academic and pedagogical staff of state and municipal universities is planned. This was stated by the Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Ruslan Stefanchuk.

How much money is allocated in the state budget for teachers

According to Stefanchuk, education is not an expense but an investment in the future of the country. The budget has already allocated 53 billion hryvnias for salary increases for school teachers, but higher education institutions also need attention. 

However, kindergarten teachers and lecturers of higher educational institutions (HEIs) will remain without changes in payments.

"Universities create the intellectual foundation of the nation by preparing doctors, military personnel, and scholars who support the economy, medicine, science, and defense," emphasized the speaker. 

He warned that without decent pay, Ukraine risks losing professional personnel and the competitiveness of higher education.

Stefanchuk stressed that a strong state is impossible without strong universities. The proposal aims to stop the outflow of specialists and increase the prestige of the teaching profession. 

For Ukrainians working in the education sector or having student children, this is an important signal of state support for higher education. At the same time, the implementation of this initiative will depend on the final approval of the budget. 

Previously, we reported that teachers receive 39% less than the average salary.