The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has initiated large-scale changes in the middle school grading system. The agency proposed introducing a single form of achievement certificate for students in grades 5-9, designed to qualitatively change the approach to recording student success.
Goals and Structure of the New Document
The new document was developed as part of the large-scale educational reform 'New Ukrainian School'. The main idea of the innovation is to move away from purely dry scores and grades. The certificate should comprehensively reflect not only academic performance, but also the child's actual learning progress and the development of key competencies. The ministry emphasizes that modern assessment must demonstrate students' ability to apply acquired knowledge and skills in practice.
Phased Implementation and Public Discussion
In order for the system to work smoothly and without stress for participants in the educational process, the MES proposes introducing the mandatory filling of new certificates in stages. This will allow pedagogical teams to prepare qualitatively for the changes, and electronic journal developers to adapt their software products to unified standards. All sections of the document are to become fully mandatory starting September 1, 2027. Currently, the project is at the stage of public discussion, and the agency accepts proposals from teachers, parents, and experts until October 21, 2026.
Contradictory Data
In the expert community and parent committees, timelines and the readiness of educational institutions for such a large-scale transition are actively discussed. Some experts express concerns about the additional bureaucratic burden on teachers who will have to master new competency monitoring formats. At the same time, MES representatives insist that detailed methodological recommendations and a gradual transition will save time in the long run, making assessment as transparent and understandable as possible for both parents and the students themselves.
