...

Finland Pledges €20 Million to Advance Ukraine’s High-School Reform

by Roman Cheplyk
Friday, May 30, 2025
1 MIN
Finland Pledges €20 Million to Advance Ukraine’s High-School Reform

“Learning Together 2” (2025-2029) will fund teacher development, profile-based curricula, and trauma-informed support measures

Framework Agreement

Parties Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine • Government of Finland
Programme Learning Together 2
Funding Up to €20 million (Finland)
Timeline 2025 – 2029
Objective Support the academic track of Ukraine’s upper-secondary (high-school) reform

Reform Milestones

  1. Launch Year 2027 – Students finishing Grade 9 choose between:

    • Professional track: vocational colleges and pre-tertiary institutes.

    • Academic track: academic lyceums leading to university admission.

  2. Finnish Support Focus – Strengthening the academic trajectory.


Programme Components

Component Key Deliverables
Teacher & Leadership Development Capacity-building for educators and principals to deliver competency-based learning aligned with the New Ukrainian School (NUS) principles.
Curriculum Design Technical assistance to schools for developing profile-specific academic programmes.
Trauma-Informed Support Social initiatives for teachers, administrators, and students to integrate trauma-sensitive practices into day-to-day schooling.

Expected Outcomes

  • Enhanced quality and accessibility of academic upper-secondary education.

  • Competency-based curricula embedded nationwide.

  • Better psychosocial environment for learners and staff in a post-conflict context.


Statement

Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science:
“Finnish expertise has supported the New Ukrainian School from the outset. This second phase deepens that partnership and accelerates transformation in our high-school sector.”


Next Steps

  • Detailed implementation plan to be finalised by both ministries.

  • Initial teacher-training modules scheduled to roll out in 2025.

You will be interested