DECIDE continues to provide expert support to communities in implementing specialised secondary school reform in the ‘field’
- 5 days ago
- 2 min read
Helmiazivska, Selyshchenska, Zvenyhorodska, and Irkliivska communities. The team also held nine online consultations for communities in the region. At present, DECIDE experts provide consultation support to 29 communities in Cherkasy region, which is almost half of all communities in the region.
The discussions focused on the issues most important to parents and teachers:
Will current ninth-graders be able to continue their education at their current school?
What will happen on 1 September 2027, when certain schools change their status?
Will children’s educational paths be interrupted?
Are there any exceptions or postponements for current ninth-graders?
Our expert team helped the communities understand what these changes really mean: explaining legislation, answering difficult questions, and breaking down common myths and stereotypes.
The priority is to strategically plan the development of education based on data, open dialogue, and decisions discussed with the public.
During the consultations, the focus was on the following issues:
why it is important to finally decide today which schools will function as academic lyceums and which as gymnasiums;
how to properly perform all the necessary legal and procedural steps for reorganisation by 1 September 2027;
how to inform the parents of current ninth-graders in advance about options for continuing their children’s education.
For example, during a public consultation in Drabivska community, many questions were raised about the feasibility of transforming the senior school. However, open dialogue facilitated a constructive discussion on the model of creating a single powerful academic lyceum for the community. After all, quality education will enhance the competitiveness of students and reduce the need for additional classes outside of school.
Today, local authorities are already investing in the material and technical base of the future lyceum: classrooms, workshops, and laboratories are being renovated, and a sports ground and bomb shelter are being equipped. The Lyceum in Drabiv plans to enrol not only high school students from its own community, but also from the neighbouring Velykokhutirska community.
According to Zoreslav Rudchenko, Deputy Mayor of Drabiv, ‘Reforms are not easy. People often say, “It’s better to leave things as they are.” But we also realise that the current system does not work properly and that changes are necessary. The experts provided practical advice on the model of the education network, possible educational paths and optimal solutions for our community.’
Much work remains to be done. However, despite all the challenges, communities are gradually establishing secondary schools that are attractive places to study. These schools offer choice, quality education, and competitive opportunities for every student.
Please note that if your community needs expert support in implementing the reform, please fill out a short form at the link.
The DECIDE project is implemented by NGO DOCCU and PHZH International Projects in Education with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.
To view the photo gallery, click on the photo.
