The Ministry of Education announced the launch of a new remuneration system for teaching staff in 2026: details
21 January 16:12
The new model for paying teachers and academic staff is expected to come into effect on September 1, 2026, according to Deputy Minister of Education and Science Andriy Stashkiv.
This was reported by [Komersant] with reference to Interfax-Ukraine.
“We must propose a model in which the official salary will constitute the majority of the total salary, and the number of additional payments and bonuses will remain but be adjusted. The increases that were introduced by various government decisions and laws should be added to that official salary and simply make it larger,” Stashkiv said at a meeting of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation on Wednesday, reporting on the formation of a new model of remuneration for teachers and scientific and pedagogical workers.
He noted that today, the official salary of a teacher in many cases is less than half of their total salary, and there is also an increasing gap between the salaries of young and experienced teachers, who receive a large number of additional payments and bonuses.
The deputy minister said that certain factors are being taken into account in the preparation of the new system, in particular the decrease in the number of children in the education system and class sizes, as well as the need to synchronize salaries between different levels of education.
He stressed that the change in the model will not allow for a reduction in existing teachers’ salaries.
“A 30% increase has already taken place, and there are financial resources left for salary growth from September 2026. At this point, it is possible to make the appropriate changes to the salary calculation system,” Stashkiv added.
According to him, by September 1, a working model should already be ready with amendments to the legislation, adopted subordinate acts, trained directors of educational institutions, and explanatory work carried out.
“We now have six weeks to work in a working group to develop proposals. After that, the draft law will be adopted by the Cabinet of Ministers in March. We want to submit it to the Verkhovna Rada by April. After that, the draft law will be considered and, accordingly, adopted, and the relevant subordinate acts will be developed,” said the deputy minister.
As reported, on November 21, 2025, the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation presented a concept for increasing teachers’ salaries. It was envisaged that from January 2026, teachers with up to 10 years of experience would receive UAH 9,740, teachers with 11-20 years of experience would receive UAH 20,501, and teachers with more than 21 years of experience would receive UAH 21,545. From September 2026, it is proposed to reach a level of three minimum wages for the lowest salary, in which case teachers with up to 10 years of experience would receive 19,975 UAH, teachers with 11-20 years of experience will receive 25,547 UAH, and teachers with over 21 years of experience will receive 28,564 UAH. In this case, the salary of a deputy director will be 38,911 UAH, and that of a director will be 41,505 UAH. The new remuneration model also provides for seniority bonuses: up to two years – 0%, 3-5 years – 10%, 6-10 years – 15%, 11-20 years – 20%, over 20 years – 30%. In addition, there is a 25% salary increase for mountainous and frontline areas, a 20% bonus for certification, a 20% incentive bonus, a surcharge for the type of institution (10% for senior specialized schools, 30% for special institutions/classes), as well as a possible local allowance determined by the founder.
For this model to work, the committee believes it would be necessary to: increase teachers’ weekly workload from 18 to 22 hours; switch from permanent contracts to fixed-term contracts; change the salary structure so that the salary constitutes the main part of the salary; and allocate the necessary funds for the reform in the state budget.
The Trade Union of Education and Science Workers of Ukraine supports increasing the salary to three minimum wages, but believes that increasing the teaching load from 18 to 22 hours, as considered by the authorities, threatens the dismissal of more than 70,000 teachers. The union also does not understand or support the need to transfer teachers from permanent to fixed-term employment contracts. In addition, the union opposes the introduction of a motivational bonus fund, which amounts to only 5% of the salary fund, and the abolition of additional payments for class management, checking written work, and managing classrooms.
Following consideration by the Verkhovna Rada, the state budget for 2026 does not provide for an increase in the weekly workload or the transfer of teachers from permanent to fixed-term contracts. The document provides for a 30% increase in teachers’ salaries from January 1, 2026, and a further 20% increase from September 1, 2026. At the same time, the government has been tasked with developing a new remuneration system that will provide for a significant base salary and is expected to come into effect in September 2026.
From January 1, 2026, teachers of all specialties, educators, assistant educators, pedagogical organizers, practical psychologists, extracurricular educators, and other teaching staff of preschool, general secondary, extracurricular, and vocational education institutions received a 30% salary increase.
