The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MES) plans to amend the State Standard of Primary Education, which remains the key document for organizing education in grades 1–4. The reform should take into account new challenges that have arisen in connection with the full-scale Russian invasion and adapt education to modern needs.
As reported by Kateryna Molodyk, coordinator of the “Educational Content” department of the “New Ukrainian School” Implementation Office, the working group is already working on updating the standard. The first results of this work are expected in March 2025.
The main goal of the revision is to update the wording and principles laid out in the 2018 standard in accordance with new educational requirements, including:
- Actualizing the goal of primary education : rethinking the main learning objectives for primary school children.
- Clarification of value orientations : focus on the formation of key competencies that meet today's conditions.
- Streamlining learning outcomes : clearly defining mandatory learning outcomes for primary school students.
The updated standard will become the basis for the creation of new educational programs, textbooks, and teaching materials. The changes will affect integrated courses and approaches to teaching subjects in primary grades.
The reform is also aimed at ensuring closer integration of primary education standards with:
- State Standard of Basic Secondary Education (approved in 2020).
- State Standard of Specialized Secondary Education (approved in 2024).
The implementation of the key reform “New Ukrainian School” (NUS) has already changed approaches to teaching in primary grades. The winner of the Global Teacher Prize Ukraine 2024, Lesya Pavlyuk, noted that the reform brought the following key changes:
- Focus on competencies : learning is focused on developing critical thinking, teamwork, and creativity.
- Subject integration : using an interdisciplinary approach in teaching.
- Modern teaching methods : involving gaming, interactive and project technologies.
- Person-centered learning : taking into account the individual needs of each student.
Updating the State Standard for Primary Education will continue this reform, directing the education system to adapt to new conditions and improve the quality of education.
