The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has approved new regulations for recognizing the education outcomes of children attending foreign educational institutions.
This applies to foreign schools as well as various educational centers, such as Saturday and Sunday schools, explained the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.
The ministry emphasized that this mechanism is crucial for Ukrainian children living abroad who wish to obtain Ukrainian educational documents or return to studies in Ukraine without losing a year of schooling.
How will Ukraine recognize educational outcomes from abroad?
The mechanism involves the establishment of a register of Ukrainian educational institutions abroad.
Institutions that have applied via the Automated Information Complex of Educational Management (AICOM) and have passed verification by the Ministry of Education and the Ministry of Foreign Affairs will be included in the list. Key requirements include the teaching of subjects related to Ukrainian studies.
Applications for inclusion in the register will be accepted starting autumn 2025 via the Ministry of Education's official website. The ministry promised to publish detailed submission algorithms and verification criteria.
Educational outcomes from foreign institutions will be automatically recognized in Ukraine, without additional assessments. Grades will be transferred according to a scale approved by the Ministry of Education.
Additionally, outcomes from informal (extracurricular) education in Ukrainian studies subjects will be recognized if the student attended centers or organizations registered in AICOM.
Otherwise, students' achievements will be considered based on general principles.
"If a child studied Ukrainian studies subjects in a Saturday or Sunday school abroad or another educational institution, the Ukrainian school may recognize these outcomes if they are graded according to the Ukrainian scale," the Ministry of Education explained.
What opportunities does this mechanism offer for children studying in educational centers abroad?
- Children can study at their place of residence abroad while maintaining a connection to the Ukrainian education system.
- Learning outcomes will be recognized in a simplified manner, meaning students will not need to undergo assessments in subjects studied abroad.
- Students will be able to obtain Ukrainian education documents and continue their education in their homeland, including in higher education institutions.
It should be noted that in February 2025, the Verkhovna Rada adopted a bill that allows for the first time at a legislative level the recognition of educational outcomes for children studying abroad.
