Proposals reviewed for organizing the activities of the Ministry of Education and Science

Recently, under a presidential decree, the Ministry of Preschool and School Education and the Ministry of Higher Education, Science and Innovation were merged into a single Ministry of Education and Science. The aim is to create an integrated system of education, upbringing, and science, improve the quality and effectiveness of education, and advance human capital development to a new level.

The new ministry has been tasked with ensuring continuity across all levels, from preschool through higher education, as well as in scientific activity, and with establishing a unified approach to managing the system. Particular importance is placed on aligning educational content with modern requirements and labor market needs, promoting competition, expanding private-sector participation, and increasing the sector’s accountability to society.

The presentation also addressed organizing the new ministry’s activities, taking into account the on-the-ground situation, eliminating overlapping functions, and strengthening the accountability of regional structures. It was noted that digitalizing management and enhancing analytical capacity would enable decisions to be based on reliable data.

In preschool education, the focus was on children’s comprehensive development, updating curricula and teaching methods, and improving educators’ qualifications. Proposals were also presented to identify children’s interests and abilities early and to create modern conditions in educational institutions.

In school education, discussions covered renewing textbooks, continuing to develop students’ knowledge and practical skills, and improving the assessment system. It was proposed to use artificial intelligence to support teachers methodologically, pilot English-medium instruction in selected schools, and expand private-sector participation.

In vocational education, particular attention was paid to early identification of young people’s interests, adapting technical college programs to labor market requirements, and strengthening their material and technical resources. The presentation also addressed expanding dual education in cooperation with enterprises, introducing international programs, and adopting modern teaching materials.

In higher education, proposals included broadening university autonomy, improving governance quality, and strengthening university leaders’ accountability for results. Discussions also covered expanding cooperation with leading foreign universities, bringing education closer to industry, and enhancing students’ practical training.

In science, attention was paid to developing research clusters and strengthening cooperation among universities, laboratories, and enterprises. Proposals were presented to put scientific developments into practice and create new products and enterprises based on them.

During the presentation, the President emphasized that all levels of education, from kindergarten to university, should function as a unified system, with particular importance placed on strengthening continuity between school and higher education. At every stage, it is necessary to improve the quality of education, instill national and universal human values in children, and build the educational process and scientific activity around these principles. Particular attention was paid to implementing the results of scientific research. It was also noted that university rectors should have a clear vision and development plan for their institutions for the short and medium term.

The responsible officials were instructed to refine the proposals thoroughly.