Two-day session ‘Peculiarities of implementing the third stage of the NUS reform in Ukraine: community experience, regional peculiarities’ held in Khmelnytskyi
- Катерина Лукомська
- Nov 7
- 3 min read
On 5–6 November, a two-day session entitled ‘Peculiarities of implementing the third stage of the NUS reform in Ukraine: community experience, regional particularities’ was held in Khmelnytskyi for DECIDE Project experts who have been working with communities in various regions of Ukraine since spring 2025.
Over the course of ten months, DECIDE expert teams have provided consultations to representatives of more than 360 communities on the implementation of specialised secondary education reform. This work has demonstrated that communities are actively engaged in reforming the education network, seeking optimal solutions and asking practical questions, while also requiring professional support.
The experts help to define algorithms for creating academic lyceums, develop optimisation plans and prepare for public discussions. They also identify opportunities for inter-municipal cooperation. These consultations equip communities with the tools they need to make informed management decisions.
What was the focus of the discussions at the session?
The main focus is on the experience of DECIDE expert teams in the regions, in particular:
regional characteristics of the implementation of specialised secondary education reform;
formation of a network of academic lyceums at the level of communities;
challenges faced by communities during the transformation;
establishing effective communication with community leaders, educators and parents as a prerequisite for successful change.
Particular attention was paid to overcoming key challenges relevant to communities, with inter-municipal cooperation being identified as an effective tool for achieving common goals.
Participants discussed real-life examples of how communities can combine their resources and collaborate to provide pupils with access to high-quality, specialised education.
‘We provide systematic support to communities in implementing specialised secondary education reform. We provide advice, organise training and support each stage of the process. We pay particular attention to communities that are ready to take responsibility and strive to create academic lyceums. The active phase of establishing a new educational network is currently underway and is expected to conclude in 2027. Our task is to provide communities with everything they need, including practical tools, knowledge, expert support, and grant opportunities next year. We are scaling up our activities and reaching even more communities across the country, ensuring that the reform is implemented through concrete actions, not just on paper. Real change in education is only possible in partnership with educators, parents, and local authorities,’ emphasised Valentyna Poltorak, Swiss-Ukrainian DECIDE Project Manager.
DECIDE Project experts also visited the Krasylivskyi Lyceum in Khmelnytskyi region. This school has become an educational hub for senior pupils from across the community. The school takes a ‘specialised’ approach, helping each pupil to find their own path to a future career and to develop their passions.
‘We are grateful to our partners from the DECIDE project for showing an interest in our experience. Setting up the Krasylivskyi Lyceum was not easy. We were faced with dozens of questions and decisions, but we never gave up. We knew that our senior students deserved a quality education here in their community,’ said Nila Ostrovska, Head of the Krasyliv City Council.
The experience of the Krasylivska community shows that a systematic approach and open communication are key to achieving positive change. Such meetings inspire other communities and help them to find their own effective solutions for developing education.
Further ahead, continued advisory support from the Project's experts awaits, along with new meetings with representatives from local governments, education departments, councillors, heads of educational institutions, and parents.
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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