Shmygal also said that payments to Ukrainian teachers in 2024 will increase by 21%.
The government of Ukraine plans to launch a large-scale reform of higher education this year. We are talking about changing funding strategies. This was announced by the Prime Minister of Ukraine Denis Shmygal.
It is noted that now in the higher education system there is training on a budget basis and on a contract basis. The government proposes to change this method to cover as many students as possible with state support.
“Today we adopted a bill that provides that in the future students will be able to study at the expense of state orders, state grants, preferential loans, as well as through a contractual form of education, Shmygal said.
He mentioned that the opportunity to study for free will be given to applicants with the best competitive scores. Also, part of the budget areas will be given to vulnerable categories.
Specialties required by the state, including teachers and doctors, are primarily concerned with state mandates. The state will fully pay for tuition for the best applicants in these specialties. After successful graduation the first job will be offered.
At the same time, a model of state grants will be introduced, which will allow full or partial coverage of training costs. These awards are unpaid and do not come with any service obligations.
According to Shmygal, the size of the grant will be affected by two criteria. The first is the results of the external knowledge assessment. The second is the chosen specialty.
Although the amount of the grant does not necessarily cover the full cost of tuition, the number of applicants receiving financial support will increase significantly due to a more equitable distribution of such support.
“Yes, now 60% of our students study on a contract basis. Our goal is for 60% of students to receive various types of government support: orders of government, grants, vouchers or, in the future, soft loans,” the Prime Minister. said.
It is clarified that this new system will only apply to new applicants.
Among the innovations also proposed are the establishment of special conditions for admission to study at universities for veterans; children of fallen heroes of Ukraine; children with disabilities; orphans; other special categories.
Shmygal also said that payments to Ukrainian teachers in 2024 will increase by 21%.
He noted that this year the state budget expenses on education will reach more than UAH 170 billion; compared to last year, they increased by more than UAH 20 billion.
According to the head of the Cabinet of Ministers, the government also allocates UAH 2.5 billion for the repair of residences; UAH 1.5 billion for the development of the New Ukrainian School; UAH 1.5 billion for modernization of school canteens; 1 billion UAH for school buses.
Previously reported. that the Cabinet of Ministers proposed for consideration by the Verkhovna Rada a bill on reforming the system of higher education in Ukraine to bring it closer to EU standards.
Source: korrespondent
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