Lubinec spoke out against the reform, which would lead to school closures
The Ukrainian education system is not yet ready for the full-scale implementation of the upper-secondary school reform under the “New Ukrainian School” (NUS) project. Launching such large-scale changes under martial law could negatively impact access to education.
This was stated by Dmytro Lubinets, the Verkhovna Rada Commissioner for Human Rights, following a meeting with Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisov.
The Ombudsman noted that he is receiving a large number of complaints from citizens. Parents and teachers are protesting the closure of educational institutions and highlighting the lack of school transportation, the poor condition of roads, and the practical impossibility of obtaining an education in mountainous, de-occupied, and frontline communities. According to Lubinets, closing schools due to reforms without proper infrastructure preparation is unacceptable during wartime.
In addition, the Human Rights Commissioner has criticized several other areas of education:
The level of preparation of students in schools for the National Multidisciplinary Test (NMT).
Organizational shortcomings of the NMT itself, particularly the lack of adequate conditions for conducting the test directly in shelters during air raid alerts.
A weak information campaign targeting high school graduates from territories temporarily occupied by Russia.
Despite the criticism, the Ministry of Education and Science continues to implement the approved plan to transition to a 12-year education system, which is scheduled to be completed by 2027. The first phase of the reform pilot, involving 30 lyceums, began in September 2025, and the second phase will start on September 1, 2026, with 150 pilot institutions joining to test the curriculum in grades 10–12. The Ministry of Education reports that nearly 90% of communities have already formed or are in the process of forming networks of future academic lyceums.
Education Ombudsman Nadiya Leshchyk also supports the need for reform. She is convinced that postponing the changes will have negative consequences for the country. At the same time, Leshchyk acknowledges the existence of serious challenges, including the organization of transportation for students and teachers, as well as the lack of boarding schools or living arrangements for children in regions where daily transportation cannot be organized. Public sentiment regarding the reform also remains mixed: according to opinion polls, 45% of parents support the changes, while nearly 32% oppose them.
As a reminder, as of January 1, 2026, teachers’ salaries in Ukraine increased by approximately 30%. The raise applies to teachers, lecturers, and other education workers, but some communities have experienced delays or changes in their pay supplements. The Ministry of Education and Science explained how salaries are now calculated and what to do if payments were calculated incorrectly.
And Deputy Minister of Education and Science Andriy Stashkiv announced that a new pay model for teaching and research staff is scheduled to be implemented starting September 1, 2026.
