Academic guidance
By the Laws of Ukraine on Education (закон України ‘Про освіту’) and ‘On Complete General Secondary Education’ (Закон України ‘Про повну загальну середню освіту’), education institutions offer academic guidance in the ECEC and general secondary education (GSE) in Ukraine. It supports the child’s educational track. Teachers, classroom teachers and school management provide information support. This support includes explanations on educational programmes, forms of learning and opportunities for further education.
Within the educational process, institutions may organise special classes, consultations, and individual meetings aimed at developing learning skills and motivation. Institutions pay particular attention to supporting progression between education levels. It includes the ECEC to primary, primary to lower secondary, and lower secondary to upper secondary. They focus on learners’ age-related and individual characteristics.
Teachers support the choice of learning tracks through individual recommendations and by informing parents or legal guardians.
Psychological counselling
Psychological service of the education system provides psychological counselling in the ECEC and GSE institutions. This service includes practical psychologists and social pedagogues. They work directly in education institutions or in specialised centres (Order of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine ‘On Approval of the Regulations on the Psychological Service in the Education System of Ukraine’, Наказ Міністерства освіти і науки України ‘Про затвердження Положення про психологічну службу у системі освіти України’).
Psychological support focuses on children’s personal, emotional and social development. It aims to build communication skills, support stress management and facilitate adaptation to the educational environment. It also addresses academic, emotional and social difficulties, including cases of bullying, anxiety and difficult life circumstances.
Psychologists and social pedagogues provide counselling through individual and group sessions. If needed, they may cooperate with parents and other specialists.
Career guidance
By the Laws of Ukraine ‘On Education’ and ‘On Complete General Secondary Education’, career guidance in GSE institutions takes place through individual and group activities aimed at familiarising learners with different educational and career opportunities. These activities include consultations with teachers and psychologists, thematic lessons, seminars, clubs and workshops.
Educational institutions may apply elements of mentorship and coaching. Teachers, practical psychologists, or social pedagogues implement these activities to support learners’ personal development and educational self-determination.
Schools may organise meetings with representatives of vocational, professional pre-higher, and higher education institutions, and with employers. They may also organise excursions, open days, career fairs, and visits to other educational institutions. For high school learners, schools may provide elements of practical exposure to professions. They include training and work-based placements, in line with current legislation.
Teachers, practical psychologists, and social pedagogues within the psychological service of the education system offer career guidance.
Educational institutions may organise meetings between learners and employers’ representatives to familiarise learners with the labour market, occupational requirements, and real working conditions.
Institutions also deliver career guidance through seminars, clubs, and workshops. They include activities with external experts. These formats allow learners to gain practical insight into different professional fields.
For high school learners, schools may provide practical exposure to professions. It includes training or work-based placements according to the current legislation. It depends on the agreement with education institutions and partner organisations.
Learners take part in extracurricular career guidance activities. They include career fairs, open days, excursions, and visits to vocational, professional pre-higher and higher education institutions.
Educational programmes and subjects may include career guidance. Schools may also offer it as online counselling and digital resources. Educational institutions cooperate with external partners, including employment services, education providers and civil society organisations.