Starting September 1, Ukrainians can expect a series of changes in the education sector: salaries, scholarships, and meals
7 August 09:51
Starting September 1, 2026, several significant changes in the education sector will take effect in Ukraine. Teachers’ salaries will rise by another 20%, student scholarships will double, and more than 3 million schoolchildren are set to receive free meals.
This was reported by "Komersant Ukrainian", citing a statement by Prime Minister Serhiy Koretskyi.
Teachers’ salaries will increase by another 20% starting September 1
One of the main changes for the new school year will be another increase in teachers’ salaries.
Starting September 1, teachers’ salaries are set to rise by another 20%.
This is the second phase of salary increases for educators in 2026. The state budget for this year specifically allocated additional funding for teacher salary increases starting in early September.
The government emphasizes that the increase should help retain professionals in the education system and make teaching a more competitive profession in the labor market.
Student scholarships will double
The second major change concerns students.
Starting with the new academic year, student scholarships are set to double.
Thus, starting September 1, students eligible for these payments will receive significantly greater financial support.
The new amounts will depend on the specific scholarship category.
Over 3 million schoolchildren will receive free meals
Another large-scale social initiative concerns school meals for children.
According to the government, starting in the new school year, more than 3 million schoolchildren are to be provided with free meals.
In this way, the Cabinet of Ministers is simultaneously strengthening support for three major groups within the education system:
- teachers;
- college students;
- schoolchildren and their families.
Schools must be fully prepared by September 1
During the Cabinet meeting, the government also heard a report from the Ministry of Education and Science on the preparations of educational institutions for the new school year.
The safety of children and education workers remains one of the top priorities.
In communities, efforts continue to:
- equipping and building shelters;
- providing schools with buses;
- preparing educational infrastructure to operate under martial law.
All necessary preparatory measures must be completed by the start of the school year.
Textbooks are promised to be delivered despite Russian attacks
The government is paying special attention to providing students with textbooks.
Russian troops have recently launched repeated attacks on Ukrainian printing plants, book warehouses, and logistics centers, resulting in the destruction of large quantities of educational and fiction books.
However, the Cabinet of Ministers states that students in all grades must receive the necessary textbooks in full and on time.
Thus, September 1, 2026, is expected to bring not only the start of a new school year to the education sector but also several financial and social changes at once.
