On 7–8 May, the town of Stryi in Lviv Oblast hosted the educational recollections “Upper Secondary School Reform: Challenges, Responses, Actions”, organised by the Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine Polaris Programme in partnership with the Department of Education of the Stryi City Council. Educational teams from territorial hromadas across 11 regions of Ukraine came together to discuss the progress of the reform and explore Stryi’s approach as one of the practical examples of implementation. The event also welcomed Susanna Dellans, Team Leader of the Polaris Programme and representative of SALAR International.
“The Stryi hromada has developed a unique approach to reforming its school network, though it still faces a number of challenges,” noted Oleh Fasolya, Head of the Polaris team on Local and Regional Education. “The local authorities have a deep understanding of the reform’s mechanisms and are making great efforts to modernise and improve the quality of education in the hromada.”
The recollections in Stryi allowed participants to see how a gradual, step-by-step strategy can address local needs in shaping educational networks. This was particularly highlighted by Zhanna Kaploukh, Director of the Department of Education of the Poltava City Hromada:
“I return home with ideas that will help us better organise our next steps in the reform. It was important to see how other hromadas implement changes gradually, with real needs and circumstances in mind. This approach helps maintain balance and build a system that works for all involved in the educational process.”
The programme included both site visits to educational institutions and group work, discussions, and best practice exchange. A particularly moving moment was the “Generational Dialogue” session, during which senior students shared their views on school changes. Their simple yet powerful words brought the focus back to how reform is experienced from within.
“Each hromada has its own context and knows best how to implement change,” said Antonina Makarevych, Deputy Head of the Office for NUS Implementation on Upper Secondary Education at Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science. “When the goal is shared and clear to all, even difficult decisions come more naturally, and actions become coordinated. Open and inclusive communication helps sustain this movement and preserve mutual understanding.”
An important part of the event was the visit to the inter-school resource centre for the teaching of the subject “Defending Ukraine”, where participants discussed the role of patriotic education in upper secondary schools. These centres exemplify how pooling resources can ensure effective use of funds and improve teaching quality.
One of the group discussions also focused on the potential for flexible decisions when building educational networks.
“If a hromada wishes to preserve continuity, it can keep both primary school and gymnasium levels within one institution – such a model is permitted under current legislation,” added Oleh Fasolya.
The event also featured Yulia Savelieva, Gender Expert of the Polaris Programme, who addressed how subject choices in upper secondary education may reinforce stereotypes, stating that it’s vital to design learning spaces that are comfortable and accessible for all – regardless of gender.
Oleh Kanivets, Mayor of Stryi, joined the participants throughout the two-day event:
“In our hromada, we are building the foundations of a new educational sector. The journey over these five years has been one of challenges, solutions, learning, and transformation. It was important for us to have partners by our side who could help us see the bigger picture and reinforce our efforts. Today, Stryi’s educational space is becoming modern, inclusive, and responsive to every child’s needs – and this is just the beginning.”
The educational recollections in Stryi were more than an experience-sharing event – they were a platform for honest discussion on the state of reform, the logic of change, and leadership responsibility. The participants were professionals already shaping a new model of upper secondary education – one that puts learners, teachers, and community realities at the centre. They are not merely implementing reform but striving to fill it with meaning and care for every pupil.
The Polaris Programme extends its sincere gratitude to Lidiia Stasenko, Head of the Department of Education of the Stryi City Council, and the entire municipal team for their high level of organisation and openness in sharing the hromada’s experience.
At the close of the event, Lidiia Stasenko symbolically handed over the torch to a representative from Solone Hromada, which is already preparing to host the next educational meeting.
