Ukraine: Reform of General Secondary Education – the New Ukrainian School
The New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform is a landmark initiative aimed at transforming general secondary education in Ukraine. Drawing on global best practices, the reform aims to modernise the education system, making it contemporary, inclusive and accessible. Its primary goal is to equip pupils with the skills and competences needed to meet the challenges of the 21st century.
Initiated by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) in 2016, the reform was introduced with the publication of the Conceptual Principles of Secondary School Reform. The implementation phase began in 2018, marking the start of the country’s most comprehensive educational transformation, which will continue until 2029.
The NUS reform is structured around nine key pillars to create a dynamic and efficient education system:
-
A new curriculum, designed to develop competences essential for successful self-realisation in society.
-
Motivated teachers who have the freedom to be creative and opportunities for professional development.
-
A holistic approach to education that promotes core values.
-
Decentralisation and effective management that gives schools real autonomy.
-
A pedagogy based on partnership between pupils, teachers and parents.
-
A focus on pupils’ needs in the educational process, promoting child-centred learning.
-
A restructured school system that makes it easier to master the new curriculum and acquire life skills.
-
An equitable distribution of public resources to ensure that all children have equal access to quality education.
-
A modern educational environment that provides the necessary conditions, tools and technologies for pupils, teachers and parents, both inside and outside the school.
The NUS reform prioritises several core objectives:
-
Personal development of pupils: the reform emphasises not only academic achievement, but also key competences such as critical thinking, effective communication and problem-solving skills.
-
Modern educational space: schools are equipped with updated textbooks, advanced technologies and improved classroom facilities.
-
Teacher training and development: comprehensive training programmes enable teachers to use interactive and pupil-centred teaching methods.
-
Inclusion: ensuring equal access to quality education for all pupils, including those with special educational needs.
-
Democratisation of education: encouraging the active participation of pupils, parents and communities in the organisation of the educational process.
As part of Ukraine’s broader European integration efforts, the NUS reform aligns with EU education standards, embedding principles of democracy, equality, critical thinking and global citizenship.
Since the launch of the reform in 2018, significant progress has been made. From 2018 to 2024, the Ukrainian government has allocated UAH 6.32 billion for its implementation. New state standards have been introduced for all levels of general secondary education: primary education (2018), basic secondary education (2020) and specialised secondary education (2024).
By the 2023-2024 academic year, the reform covered primary (grades 1-4) and basic secondary schools (grades 5-6), with over 2.2 million pupils benefiting from updated curricula and innovative teaching practices.
The reform continues to progress, laying a strong foundation for a modern, inclusive and resilient education system in Ukraine.
For more information: MESU website - Нова українська школа | Міністерство освіти і науки України; NUS website - Нова українська школа; Concept of Implementing State Policy in the Field of General Secondary Education Reform ‘New Ukrainian School’ until 2029 - Концепція реалізації державної політики у сфері реформування загальної середньої освіти ‘Нова українська школа’ на період до 2029 року.
Source: Eurydice Unit Ukraine
