Public consultation on implementation of senior specialised education reform held in Bershad community

In September, a public consultation on the implementation of the reform of senior specialised education took place in the Bershad community in the Vinnytsia region, as part of the 'Into the Future Together!' forum. The event was organised by a team of experts from the Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE project, together with local authorities, MPs, educators, and parents of schoolchildren.

The consultation served as an open platform for dialogue, providing the community with explanations and practical support.

During the consultation, the DECIDE experts addressed key questions, such as whether the community meets the criteria for establishing academic lyceums, what the local budget possibilities are, and the potential for cooperation with neighbouring territories. They also advised on participation in state programmes, particularly with regard to STEM equipment, and identified decisions that need to be adopted by the city council.

At the same time, the Bershad community demonstrated that it possesses all the necessary components for the development of specialised education, including a sufficient number of students and the financial capacity to establish academic lyceums.

Special attention was paid to the importance of communication. As project expert Marina Zamfir noted, the successful implementation of the reform requires a clear information strategy to reach community residents and local councillors through public meetings, consultations, the local media, and online platforms.

‘The forum has become a platform for exchanging ideas and a symbol of unity and shared responsibility for the future of education in the community,’ said Valentyn Rusnachenko, Deputy Mayor of Bershad for Executive Authorities.

This format made the consultation an effective means of supporting the community in addressing education reform issues at a local level.

Bershad is demonstrating its readiness for strategic change. With its large student population, financial capacity and educational infrastructure, Bershad is well placed to serve as a model for the successful implementation of senior specialised school reform for the benefit of the community's children and teenagers in the future. The DECIDE Project will continue to support the community in implementing the reforms. If your community needs expert advice tailored to your specific circumstances, please submit your application via 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.

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