The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved significant changes to the state standards of general secondary education. These amendments aim to modernize the school system, adapt it to modern challenges, and prepare the infrastructure for the transition to subject-specialized learning, scheduled for September 1, 2027. The updates cover curricula, approaches to inclusive education, and specific programs for the Ukrainian diaspora.
Preparation for Subject Specialization and the Transition Period
One of the central elements of the reform is the preparation for the introduction of subject-specialized secondary education. According to the government, the new learning format will start in the next academic year. However, the reform is designed with a smooth transition in mind: students who began their education before the introduction of the New Ukrainian School will have the opportunity to continue studying under the 2011 State Standard. This will help avoid sharp breaks in children's educational trajectories.
As part of the updates, four state standards adopted in different years (2011, 2018, 2020, and 2024) were reviewed. In particular, the State Standard for Subject-Specialized Secondary Education now establishes unified curricula for academic lyceums, vocational education institutions, and higher vocational education institutions. This is intended to guarantee the same principles of learning organization regardless of the type of educational institution.
Ukrainian Studies Component for Children Abroad and in Occupied Territories
Special attention in the new standards is paid to children living abroad or in temporarily occupied territories. The government has mandated the introduction of a Ukrainian studies component, which will help maintain a connection with the Ukrainian education system. Special basic curricula for classes with this component have been added to the standards for primary, basic, and subject-specialized secondary education.
The Ministry of Education and Science (MES) explains that the goal of this initiative is to give children the opportunity to receive a quality education without forcing them to simultaneously complete two full programs (Ukrainian and foreign). This solution aims to reduce the burden on children and their parents while ensuring the preservation of national identity and language competence.
New Philosophy of Inclusive Education: From Diagnosis to Functionality
Significant changes have affected terminology in the field of inclusive education. The state standards have undergone a paradigm shift: instead of describing a child's medical diagnosis, the focus shifts to defining the functional difficulties they face during the learning process and the necessary level of support.
For example, the phrase "children with hearing impairment" is replaced by "students with functional sensory difficulties involving a limitation of hearing function." Similar changes apply to difficulties related to vision, speech, the musculoskeletal system, and intellectual development. The MES emphasizes that this approach allows for a focus on the child's potential and development rather than their medical status, which contributes to more effective integration into society.
Strengthening the Civic and Historical Component
As part of the standards update, attention to history and civic education has also increased. In the basic curriculum for grades 7–9, the number of hours for subjects in the civic and historical education sector will be increased by two hours. This decision is aimed at strengthening civic identity and deepening the understanding of the historical context of Ukraine's development.
A separate basic curriculum is provided for specialized educational institutions, which offers more opportunities for in-depth study of individual subjects, specialized courses, and electives. In August, the MES plans to refine the typical educational programs so that schools can promptly organize the learning process in accordance with the new requirements.
