Ukraine: Developing conceptual frameworks for education areas under the “Education for Life” policy

In September 2025, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine (MESU) unveiled new frameworks for all educational areas as part of the “Education for Life” policy. These frameworks are intended to update curricula, develop textbooks, create modern teacher training programmes, and improve educational spaces.

The new updated conceptual frameworks outline the aims, expected learning outcomes, and approaches to curriculum design from years 1 to 12. The educational areas encompassed are the following: Civic and Historical Education, Arts Education, Physical Education, Natural Sciences Education, Social and Health-Preserving Education, Informatics Education, Mathematics Education, Language and Literature Education (Foreign Languages), Language and Literature Education (Ukrainian Language, Ukrainian and World Literature), and Technological Education.

These areas also form the content foundation for the continued implementation of the New Ukrainian School (NUS) reform, the national school initiative focused on fostering a modern learning environment that promotes key competencies, critical thinking, and lifelong learning skills.

Before developing the updated content, MESU conducted extensive consultations. From January to June 2025, MESU gathered feedback from pupils, parents, and teachers, and facilitated expert discussions. MESU finalised the frameworks in July 2025 and approved them through an official MESU order in August

Since September 2025, 62 schools engaged in the NUS reform have started testing updated curricula and teaching materials for year 5 in three areas: Arts, Natural Sciences, and Technology. Pupils are involved in interdisciplinary projects, while teachers receive specialised training and ongoing support. During this pilot phase, MESU is collecting feedback to improve materials and methods before wider implementation.

To support this initiative, MESU launched the Education for Lifedigital platform. Developed through the World Bank’s “Lifting Education Access and Resilience in times of Need in Ukraine” (LEARN) programme.

In partnership with EdEra, the platform offers integrated lesson examples, tasks to foster critical and creative thinking, assessment tools, and teaching materials for each area.

The implementation schedule for the “Education for Life” policy is:

  • 2025–2026: Pilot in three areas, launch the digital platform and prepare updated curricula
  • 2026–2027: Develop new textbooks, and pilot in four more areas
  • 2027–2028: Pilot in the remaining areas, publish the textbooks, and upgrade the school facilities
  • 2028–2029: Full-scale implementation nationwide

The ‘Education for Life’ policy seeks to create a comprehensive educational experience, where curriculum, teaching, and environment align to nurture students’ key skills. This reflects its motto: “Let us work together to create an education that prepares children for life”.

For more information: https://educationforlife.mon.gov.ua/

New conceptual frameworks:

Source: Eurydice Unit Ukraine