Training for local governance and education experts: how to support communities in implementing the reform of specialized secondary education

The reform of specialised secondary education, which constitutes the third stage of the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform, envisages the introduction of subject-focused learning in senior grades. This will allow each student to choose their own educational path in line with their interests, abilities, and future career aspirations. Lyceums are therefore expected to become the places where schoolchildren can receive quality education, regardless of whether they reside in a large city or a small community.

To assist communities in implementing this reform, from 25 to 27 February, a training session for local self-government experts of the DECIDE Project was held in Kyiv. Upon request, these experts will provide consultative support to communities regarding the establishment of academic lyceums and the overall formation of an effective secondary school network.

Participants discussed:

– specific aspects of modelling the network of academic lyceums;

– the concept of an academic lyceum;

– financing models for lyceums;

– cooperation between territorial communities in the establishment, maintenance, or joint financing of academic lyceums.

During the training, participants had the opportunity to simulate situations that may arise in the process of communication between all stakeholders when making decisions about establishing an academic lyceum in the community.

The experts also worked through case studies of specific communities and explored possible solutions for implementing the specialised secondary school reform that could be recommended to local authorities.

Particular attention was paid to strengthening the capacity of communities to develop a strategic vision for the high school network.

Expert groups will soon begin their work in all regions of Ukraine, and we are currently studying the needs of communities. The expert teams have a lot of work ahead of them to ensure that the reform of secondary education is a success!

Very soon, expert groups will begin their work across all regions of Ukraine, and for now, we are assessing the needs of local communities. Fieldwork lies ahead for the expert teams to ensure the successful implementation of the specialised secondary education reform!