Minister Lisyov: Political Rhetoric Impeding 'New Ukrainian School' Reform Implementation

Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisyov, during his address to the Verkhovna Rada on Wednesday, October 25, stated that he has observed instances of political rhetoric that negatively affect the implementation of the 'New Ukrainian School' (NUS) reform. According to him, this rhetoric not only delays the process but also hinders the achievement of set goals in the reform of education in Ukraine.

Lisyov emphasized the importance of constructive collaboration between the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Finance, and local communities. He noted that the Ministry's team is actively working to find solutions to the problems that arise during the implementation of the reform. 'We are working with the Ministry of Finance and partners to find solutions and do this together with communities in a constructive working manner,' he stated. 'At the same time, we see that in some cases, it is not about objective difficulties in implementation, but rather about political decisions or rhetoric that slow down this process.'

The Minister also expressed gratitude to the deputies who actively support initiatives aimed at addressing issues related to the implementation of the NUS reform in their constituencies. This support is crucial for the successful realization of the reform, which entails significant changes in the education system.

It is worth recalling that in September 2017, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine adopted a decision to implement 12 years of schooling, set to start in 2027. The pilot phase of the senior profile school reform will begin on September 1, 2025. This phase includes the testing of new teaching approaches, the development of courses, and the testing of educational materials, marking the first step towards the introduction of a new State Standard for profile secondary education. As part of this pilot, 30 lyceums from 19 regions of Ukraine have already begun implementing a model for students to choose their profiles and subjects.

The second stage of the pilot for the senior school reform will commence on September 1, 2026, during which 150 pilot educational institutions will continue to test the updated content and structure of education in grades 10-12. These steps are necessary to prepare for the transition to a 12-year education system, which is planned to be operational from September 1, 2027. It is expected that the first graduations of students from the 12th grade will occur in the spring-summer of 2030, after which, between 2030 and 2033, there will be a transformation of the network of educational institutions based on demographic trends and the initial results of the reforms.

It is important to note that on March 12, 2026, a petition was registered on the website of the Cabinet of Ministers calling for the suspension of the NUS reform amid martial law and the transitional period following its conclusion. This petition garnered the necessary number of votes for consideration. In response, Prime Minister Yulia Svyrydenko stated that the Ministry of Education, together with communities, teachers, and parents, is actively seeking practical solutions to resolve all complex situations related to the implementation of the senior profile school.

By the end of March 2026, the Ministry of Education reported that nearly 90% of communities in Ukraine had already formed networks of academic lyceums or were in the final stages of their formation. This indicates progress in the implementation of the reform, despite existing challenges.

Education Ombudsman Nadiya Leshchyk also supports the NUS reform and noted that its postponement could lead to negative consequences for the state. She emphasized the importance of continuing the reform to ensure quality education for future generations of Ukrainians.