The president signed a law on higher education funding that does not require state employees to work off their benefits
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed Law No. 10399, which reforms the system of state funding for higher education and does not require students in non-military majors to serve a mandatory period of service after completing their state-funded education.
The new mechanism introduces the principle of “funds follow the student,” expanding state support through a system of grants that will exist alongside traditional state-funded spots and contract-based programs.
Under the new legislation, graduates of civilian fields of study will be free to choose their place of employment and will not be required to sign employment contracts with the government or reimburse the cost of their education. The requirement to work in a designated field will remain only for students majoring in security, defense, and law enforcement. The initial proposal requiring students to sign a contract for their first job after their second year was removed from the document due to concerns regarding forced labor and conflicts with the Constitution.
The updated model provides for three support mechanisms: government-funded programs for training specialists in the security and defense sectors, traditional state-funded spots for applicants with the highest scores, and government grants that will fully or partially cover the cost of contract-based education. Separate support in the form of grants is provided for priority groups, including veterans, orphans, and children of fallen defenders.
This is stated in the bill’s summary.
In Ukraine, as of September 1, 2026, teachers’ salaries have increased by another 20%. Thus, the total increase in teachers’ pay compared to 2025 amounts to 50%.
The Ukrainian labor market continues to change amid an acute labor shortage. Some employers are raising salaries, but more than half of employees have not seen a real increase in their incomes. The highest wages are currently paid for certain blue-collar occupations, and in some regions, annual wages have risen by more than a quarter.
Starting September 1, teachers’ salaries will increase by 20%, and student scholarships will double. In addition, more than 3 million schoolchildren will receive free meals.
