The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is launching a large-scale reform of career guidance in secondary educational institutions. Schools with grades 7–12 students are set to introduce specialized career advisor positions. This initiative aims to help teenagers make conscious choices about their future profession and build an optimal educational trajectory even before graduation.
New Consulting System: Who Will Teach Whom
According to the official letter from the MES, at least one or two career advisors will appear in each educational institution. The division of duties is clearly regulated: one pedagogical worker will handle consultations for 7–9 grade students (basic school), and the second for high school students (10–12 grades). Schools representing both educational levels will employ at least two profile specialists.
Organizational Features and Personnel Reserve
Schools will receive a certain degree of autonomy in personnel matters: depending on the actual number of students, the structure of a particular institution, and the general workload, the administration will be able to attract additional advisors. In addition, the advance formation of a reliable personnel reserve is planned locally. The MES undertakes the organization of specialized training for future consultants, taking into account the specifics of students' age psychology.
Controversial Data
It is worth noting that discussions are emerging among the expert community and parent committees regarding the timeline for the full implementation of advisors and the real workload on the teaching staff. While ministerial circulars prescribe a swift launch of the initiative and reserve formation, representatives of some regional schools point to the need for additional funding and clear explanations regarding the remuneration of such employees, creating temporary discrepancies in assessing the system's readiness for reform.
Further Steps and Prospects
The specialized ministry promised to send additional detailed information regarding the exact deadlines for registration procedures, the composition of training teams, and the list of base institutions for professional development. The introduction of career advisors is part of a comprehensive strategy to modernize Ukrainian education, aimed at adapting youth to the challenges of the modern labor market and increasing the competitiveness of graduates.
