The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a list of dangerous items prohibited on the territory and premises of general secondary education institutions. It includes weapons, explosives, drugs, alcohol, and tobacco products.
Due to the energy crisis in Kyiv, the winter holidays are extended until February 1, 2026. The decision applies to institutions of general secondary, vocational, pre-higher, and higher education.
Educational ombudsman Nadiia Leshchyk proposed making up for extended winter break classes by canceling spring breaks or extending studies into June 2026. This is due to unstable electricity supply and the inability to conduct effective online learning.
The Cabinet of Ministers has introduced a set of measures in connection with the emergency situation in the energy sector caused by massive Russian shelling. In particular, the Ministry of Education and the Kyiv City State Administration (KMDA) should extend or establish winter holidays until February 1, 2026.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved a list of dangerous items and substances that are prohibited on the territory and premises of Ukrainian schools. The list includes weapons, explosives, drugs, alcohol, and other dangerous items.
President Zelenskyy called for an increase in the number of "Invincibility Points" in Kyiv and a review of their operation. Proposals for education in emergency situations are also expected.
President Zelenskyy has instructed the government to review curfew regulations due to extremely cold weather. In Kyiv, the number of Invincibility Points will be increased, and existing ones will be checked.
Educational ombudswoman Nadiia Leshchyk emphasized the importance of psychological assistance to those affected by the attack in a Kyiv school. She also stressed the need to ensure safety in educational institutions.
The Verkhovna Rada is preparing a draft law that may restrict the right to deferment from mobilization for men aged 25+ due to studies. The number of such students has increased to 250,000, and inspections have revealed almost 50,000 fictitious students.
The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has decided to switch to online learning and remote work for enterprises due to deteriorating weather conditions and a drop in air temperature. This measure will be in effect at least until January 19, 2026, with the exception of critical infrastructure facilities.
The Ombudsman sent requests to the Ministry of Education and Science, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Security Service of Ukraine.
The Verkhovna Rada may replace a number of ministers, including the heads of the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Defense, and the Ministry of Digital Transformation, during the next plenary week, which begins on January 13. The appointment of the head of the State Property Fund and the transfer of Rustem Umerov to the position of Presidential Security Advisor are also expected.
Starting today, the salaries of pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical staff in Ukraine will increase by 30%. The State Budget for 2026 allocates 64.6 billion hryvnias for salary increases.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofymenko announced a complete update of the Admission Procedure to higher education institutions in 2026. Changes include the cancellation of motivational letters and a reduction in the number of applications from 15 to 12.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science Mykola Trofymenko announced that 48 universities in Ukraine have agreed to launch "winter admission" to the zero course. This is a preparatory stage for the main admission.
In 2025, the educational ecosystem "Mriya" covered over 2,800 schools and 420,000 users in all 24 regions of Ukraine. It has become a key tool for the digitalization of education, uniting schools, students, parents, and teachers in a single digital environment.
From January 1, 2026, the salaries of pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical staff will increase by 30%. The government has approved a resolution that provides for an increase in official salaries for all pedagogical and scientific-pedagogical staff of state and communal educational institutions.
The Ministry of Education and Science provided detailed information on "winter admission" and preparation for the main admission for applicants.
Ukraine has developed Cabinet of Ministers resolutions that allow recognizing the results of Ukrainian children's education abroad without additional exams. Grades from foreign schools are recognized according to "conversion" scales, and the Ukrainian component can be studied remotely or in foreign centers.
In 2025, a pilot system for delivering textbooks to educational institutions was launched; now schools will receive books directly from publishers. The new model of direct textbook delivery to educational institutions was tested on 30% of the circulation, which amounts to over 2 million copies.
The state has introduced special standard programs for Ukrainian children abroad and in the temporarily occupied territories. This will allow them to study the Ukrainian component and remain in the Ukrainian education system without additional burden.
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine is developing four different models for increasing teachers' salaries, which could be implemented from September 1. These models involve an increase in workload, no increase in workload, proportional and disproportionate increases for different categories of teachers, with an emphasis on young professionals.
In Ukraine, in 2024 and 2025, there was a significant increase in the number of men aged 25+ in professional pre-higher education. This phenomenon indicates a possible use of education as a way to defer military service.
A draft resolution on the dismissal of Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi has been registered in the Verkhovna Rada. The authors of the document claim that under the slogans of higher education reform, schemes for controlling state property and land plots may be implemented, and also point to financial irregularities in the activities of the Ministry of Education and Science.
The Ministry of Education and Science has published a guide for parents to help them understand the nuances of student assessment in schools. The document explains formative and summative assessment, as well as the structure of the NUS achievement certificate.
The Ministry of Education and Science is launching an experimental project of "zero courses" to prepare for the NMT, where schoolchildren will be able to study for 3-6 months. State support is provided for residents of temporarily occupied territories, veterans, and military personnel, including grants and scholarships.
The Ministry of Education and Science announced the abolition of motivational letters during the 2026 admission campaign, as they have ceased to be an effective selection tool. This decision is part of the updated admission procedure, which provides for transparency of conditions and digitalization of procedures.
The Ministry of Education and Science has submitted a resolution on co-financing joint scientific projects of higher education institutions, scientific institutions, and businesses for public discussion. The state will cover 40% to 60% of the costs, depending on the size of the enterprise.
Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Mykola Trofymenko stated that the NMT format will not change in 2026. This decision is due to the proven effectiveness and transparency of the testing, which ensured equal conditions for admission.
Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Oksen Lisovyi signed an order to dismiss former MP-bribe-taker Andriy Odarchenko from the post of rector of the State Biotechnological University. The Ministry of Education and Science claims that the rector was dismissed in 2024, but the facts indicate that the dismissal took place recently.
