Starting in September 2026, a large-scale educational reform will come into force in Ukraine, affecting the preschool generation. According to new regulations, studying English will become a mandatory element of the curriculum for children aged five to six. This decision, made by the Ministry of Education and Science, aims to foster language competencies at an early stage and integrate Ukrainian children into the global educational space.
Readiness Level: 75% of institutions are ready to start
According to Anastasiia Konovalova, Deputy Minister of Education and Science for Preschool Education, currently more than 75% of preschool institutions are already ready to implement the new program. This means that the vast majority of kindergartens in the country have the necessary resources to conduct classes. Readiness is ensured by the availability of qualified staff: some educators have already received the relevant diplomas and certificates allowing them to teach lessons independently.
However, the legislation provides for a flexible approach to solving staffing issues. In cases where the staffing schedule does not allow finding a teacher with relevant education, the law allows engaging private schools, individual entrepreneurs, as well as English teachers from the general secondary education system. This creates an additional market for specialists and relieves budgetary institutions from the need to hire new employees.
Digital Solution: Distance Lessons as a Backup Option
For regions and communities where there is an acute shortage of teachers, a digital alternative is provided. In such cases, classes can be conducted in a distance format. The mechanism is simple: the educator stays with the children in the group, ensuring discipline and support, while the English teacher connects to the class online. This ensures equal access to quality education regardless of the kindergarten's geographical location.
Reform Goals: Motivation, Not Academic Perfection
It is important to note that the Ministry of Education has clearly defined the boundaries of expectations for this reform. As emphasized by Anastasiia Konovalova, the task of preschool education is not to teach a child to master the English language perfectly. The primary goal is to foster an interest in the language, explain its practical necessity, and lay the foundation of basic knowledge. It is on this foundation that the child will be able to rely confidently when transitioning to primary school, where language preparation requirements will be significantly higher.
Infrastructure and Availability of Places
Alongside the language reform, work continues to ensure the availability of places in kindergartens. In Kyiv, for example, there are 525 preschool institutions attended by more than 62,000 children. The city administration (Kyiv City State Administration) assures that there will be enough places for everyone, and the registration process for parents has been fully moved to an online format, simplifying logistics and reducing the bureaucratic burden on families.
