Andriy Vitrenko, deputy and likely successor to Lesnoy, criticizes reforms of the Ministry of Education and Science and talks about his ambitions
13 July 2025 07:18
Deputy Minister of Education and Science Andriy Vitrenko, who is being considered by the government as a replacement for Oksen Lisovyi, criticized the department’s policy of consolidating higher education institutions.
He also does not approve of the decision to increase the cost of contract education at universities.
The official said this during an online meeting with the student parliaments of Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv and Igor Sikorsky Kyiv Polytechnic Institute, "Komersant Ukrainian" reports.
Vitrenko said that several key education reforms in Ukraine, including the New Ukrainian School, have been “somewhat successful.”
“But many reforms have shown their ineffectiveness. All steps, especially those related to higher education, should be as balanced as possible.
Do I like the way the reorganization of higher education institutions is going on now? No, I do not like it. Do I think this is a new reform? No, we started this movement back in 2021,” the deputy minister said.
Vitrenko did not explain what is wrong with the consolidation of universities and how the reform should be carried out, but said that the reorganization should be carried out “in a different way.”
He called the biggest threat to higher education an increase in the indicative cost of education at universities, which is used as the minimum cost for contract education.
At the same time, Andriy Vitrenko, Lisovyi’s deputy, said he would not resign from the post of minister if offered
Although he noted that he has not received an offer to head the ministry.
“As of today, I have not had any conversations, interviews, or offers […] A soldier who does not want to become a general is very bad.
Do I want to take a high position? It would be a great honor for me. If I receive such an offer, I will not refuse,” Vitrenko said during an online meeting with representatives of the student parliament.
He added that he “has ambitions” to head the Ministry of Education and Science or become the secretary of the Kyiv City Council. In addition, Vitrenko said that he would participate in the next election of the rector of the Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv if possible.
It should be noted that in 2020, the Ministry of Education and Science tried to appoint Vitrenko as interim rector of the university.
At that time, the student parliament of the National University of Kyiv opposed it, recalling his involvement in the Servant of the People party, which held an “illegal campaign event” on the territory of the university building, as well as the fact that he was one of the candidates for the election of the university’s head.
As a reminder, media sources reported that in July 2025, Ukraine plans to change the government, including the ministers of education and science, health and culture, and strategic communications.
