Dialogue platform for regional councils: Implementation of the Law on Vocational Education discussed

On 12 March, a round-table discussion titled ‘Implementation of the Law on Vocational Education: Legislative and Property Aspects’ was held in Poltava, focusing on practical steps for implementing the new legislation.

The event was organised by the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils (UAROR) in collaboration with DECIDE Project and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, with the support of the Poltava Regional State Administration and the Poltava Regional Council. The event brought together heads of regional and district councils, representatives of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Regional Military Administration, and experts.

The discussion focused on the issue of decentralising the management of the vocational education system in Ukraine:

• implementation of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Vocational Education’, namely the delineation of powers between levels of authority in the management of vocational education institutions;

• formation of an effective network of vocational education institutions in line with the real needs of regional labour markets;

• transfer of property from state to local authority ownership of regional councils;

• introduction of new funding models for vocational education institutions.

Andrii Vitrenko, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, stressed the importance of cooperation between the state and regional levels, ‘I am confident that this dialogue between the Ministry and the regional councils will facilitate closer collaboration on this important issue and accelerate the transfer of vocational and technical education institutions.’

Valentyna Poltorak, DECIDE Project Manager, emphasised the strategic importance of vocational education reform for the restoration of the country, ‘DECIDE Project has entered its second five-year phase, during which time we will work not only with local authorities in communities but also with regional councils. In the context of systematic support for vocational education reform, it is extremely important for us today to strengthen regional councils in their readiness to take responsibility for the development of vocational education institutions.’

Yevhen Konchakovskyi, Deputy Head of the Poltava Regional Military Administration, noted that the issue of managing the property of vocational education institutions is complex and requires clear decisions, ‘The regional council and the regional military administration, together with the communities, must develop a model in which the transfer of powers is underpinned by the financial capabilities of local self-government. The main goal is to create a transparent and understandable governance mechanism.’

Tetiana Yehorova-Lutsenko, President of the Ukrainian Association of District and Regional Councils and Chair of the Kharkiv Regional Council, emphasised the importance of the regional level in the development of the vocational education system, ‘The position of the UAROR is a matter of principle. The network of vocational education institutions cannot be formed without the participation and approval of regional councils. At the regional level, the demand for personnel is determined, the development of the vocational education network is planned, funding from regional budgets is provided, and the balance between the region’s economy and the training of specialists is ensured. I am convinced that this combination of regional councils’ positions, state policy, and international expertise from DECIDE Project will lead to the development of an effective vocational education system that will contribute to the economic development of communities and the recovery of Ukraine.’

During the round-table discussion, Iryna Shumyk, Director-General of the Directorate for Vocational Education at the Ministry of Education and Science, presented a strategic vision for the implementation of the Law of Ukraine ‘On Vocational Education’ – one of the key elements in economic recovery and the development of human capital.

‘Today, we are shaping a new model of vocational education: flexible, modern, and tailored to the economic needs of each region. Regional councils must become full partners in this transformation, as key decisions on the development of the network, asset management, and the quality of education are taken at the regional level,’ noted Iryna Shumyk.

Based on the results of the meeting, the following specific steps were agreed:

• strengthening the role of regional councils in reform implementation

• developing solutions on the transfer of property in each region

• organising a series of working meetings between the Ministry of Education and Science and regional councils to support the process of property transfer.

The DECIDE project is implemented by NGO DOCCU and PHZH International Projects in Education with the support of the Embassy of Switzerland in Ukraine.

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