A high-quality upper secondary school begins with strong leadership. And modern educational leadership is impossible without vision, adaptability, and the ability to manage change. With this in mind, on 13 May in Rivne, a transformed simulation game entitled “Professional Mastery of Lyceum Directors” took place. It was developed and conducted by experts from the Swedish-Ukrainian Polaris Programme – Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine.
The game brought together 20 school leaders – heads, deputy heads and managers of academic lyceums from across Rivne Oblast. Throughout the day, they did much more than study educational models or listen to lectures. They engaged in simulated scenarios reflecting real-life management challenges, made complex decisions, debated, reflected – and, as a result, enhanced their leadership skills through experiential learning.
The event was opened by Petro Korzhevskyi, Director of the Department of Education and Science of the Rivne Regional State Administration. Alla Chernii, Rector of the Rivne Regional Institute for Postgraduate Pedagogical Education, also addressed the participants with inspiration and belief in the leadership potential of school directors. Both speakers emphasised that, in times of change, a school leader is not just an administrator but a driver of reform.
The aim of the game was to develop the leadership competences necessary for the effective operation of academic lyceums and the delivery of high-quality educational services to students. The facilitators – Artem Horobets, Oleh Fasolia, and Viacheslav Dolid – are experienced experts in the education component of the Polaris Programme. Not only are they deeply knowledgeable, but they also skilfully manage group dynamics, fostering an immersive environment for active learning and peer exchange.
“After conducting the first version of the game for school leadership in February, we gathered feedback and updated the materials. On 13 May, we piloted the transformed version, and it proved highly effective. The game ‘Professional Mastery of Lyceum Directors’ is a powerful tool that doesn’t just teach – it shifts perspectives. Because the success of a school depends not only on administration, but also on leadership, strategy, and the overall quality of the learning environment,” shared Artem Horobets, one of the game’s developers.
The programme included seven thematic blocks, each simulating a particular aspect of school management. In the “Three Towers” exercise, participants faced the challenge of decision-making with limited resources, while the “Order” task focused on structuring internal school processes. “Student Profile” encouraged reflection on the school’s role in the learner’s educational trajectory, and the “Metaplan” module had each team create their own vision for the strategic development of a lyceum.
The event unfolded in an atmosphere of constructive dialogue, high engagement, and open exchange. As noted by Liudmyla Petrova, Deputy Director of Berezne Lyceum No. 3:
“The game – and especially the organisers – left incredibly positive and inspiring impressions. There was a real sense of a professional community that is curious and ready for change. Everyone was 100% engaged, and the facilitators didn’t just theorise – they shared real experience. Events like this truly motivate and dispel the myths around the complexity of reform.”
The game demonstrated that simulation-based learning is not only an effective way to build management capacity, but also a space to foster a culture of educational leadership. The Polaris programme will continue to support school leaders across hromadas, providing not only knowledge but also the environment for continuous growth.
