On 22 May, the forum “New Ukrainian School: Educational Horizons of the Lubny Hromada” took place in Lubny, Poltava oblast, with support from the Swedish-Ukrainian programme Polaris “Supporting Multilevel Governance in Ukraine”. The event brought together nearly 50 educators, local government representatives, experts from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the NUS Implementation Office, and school leaders from the Slavuta hromada (Khmelnytskyi oblast) and hromadas across Poltava oblast.
The forum programme included visits to three educational institutions in the Lubny hromada that showcased their best practices, learning approaches and school transformation strategies.
Academic Lyceum “Yevropeiskyi”: a space of growth, openness and partnership
The forum began at the Academic Lyceum “Yevropeiskyi” – a modern institution where innovation, media literacy and international cooperation have become part of its educational DNA. In opening remarks, representatives of the local Department of Education, the Ministry of Education and Science, and the NUS Implementation Office emphasised the importance of a systemic approach to developing the school network.
Olena Popova, Chief Specialist of the School Education Department at the Ministry of Education and Science, noted:
“The Ministry is laying the foundation for the NUS reform to succeed. But we also recognise that the current educational network requires revision and improvement. Only in partnership with hromadas can we build an educational architecture worthy of the European level. Lubny is a good example of how to build a school of change – with the child’s comfort in mind.”
Lyceum director Larysa Derkach shared how the school team develops and implements the vision of “a lyceum in a space of change”.
Deputy Director for Educational Work, Yevheniia Mokrenko, presented innovative approaches introduced at the lyceum. Visitors saw the active media centre in action, where 8th and 9th grade students not only learn journalism skills but also produce and present their own news – filmed and edited ahead of the forum.
Senior students showcased their work on the school newspaper, radio broadcasts and video stories – examples of how learners develop creative thinking, communication skills and teamwork.
Another highlight was the English-speaking discussion club, moderated by English teacher and Deputy Director for International Relations, Yuliia Nikul. Students held a real debate session in English, confidently presenting arguments while demonstrating critical thinking, empathy and a high level of language proficiency.
Oksana Sokolovska, Deputy Director for Scientific and Educational Work, spoke about the achievements of the student science society “DyvoSvit”. The group held their final session of the academic year, presenting research projects in natural sciences, technology and humanities.
Director Larysa Derkach summarised:
“We are building a lyceum in a space of change. This isn’t just about modern design or equipment. It’s about an environment where children can try, make mistakes, learn and grow. Our teachers are mentors and partners to students, and our students are full participants in creating school life.”
Matvii Nomys First Gymnasium: A school that prepares for life
The next stop was the Matvii Nomys First Gymnasium – a school with deep traditions, now transforming itself into a modern space for professional growth and self-realisation. In recent years, the gymnasium has undergone a challenging but productive transition from a general secondary school – adopting new leadership practices, upgrading its educational process and enhancing the learning environment.
Gymnasium director Tetiana Serhiienko presented two strategic development priorities:
– Integration of career guidance programmes into the learning process;
– A system of continuous professional development for teachers.
Here, pedagogical excellence is viewed not as an outcome but as an ongoing process. The gymnasium actively fosters mentoring, builds professional teacher communities, and regularly conducts training on innovative teaching methods.
Particular attention was paid to the pre-vocational training system for students in grades 3–9 – a true highlight of the school’s curriculum. Pupils shared their experiences visiting their parents’ workplaces, where they observed and even participated in work processes, gaining invaluable insights into the world of professions.
Ukrainian Classical Gymnasium: Upgrading traditions and partnerships
The final presentation took place at the Ukrainian Classical Gymnasium, where the school team demonstrated how classical educational traditions can blend with modern teaching and management practices.
Gymnasium director Alina Yurchenko introduced the school’s “educational upgrade” strategy, which centres on supporting student initiative, openness and entrepreneurship.
One vivid illustration was the interactive session “School Print” – a social school enterprise led by Tetiana Hrytsai. In the assembly hall, a mini print shop was in full operation, where students demonstrated the complete cycle of creating souvenir products – from design to online sales.
Exchange of experience and emerging partnerships
The final discussion left no one indifferent. Educators from the Slavuta hromada, representatives of the NUS Office and the Ministry expressed admiration for the consistency of reforms, teacher professionalism and student motivation within the Lubny hromada. They were impressed by the atmosphere of trust and respect for children, openness to innovation and the readiness to share experience.
In her closing remarks, Deputy Head of the NUS Implementation Office Antonina Makarevych said:
“What impressed me most is that the entire educational network built in Lubny fully reflects the ideas we embedded in the reform – its essence and philosophy. When a school focuses on a specific age group, it can provide maximum benefit, attention and development. Both gymnasiums convincingly demonstrated this. The reform encourages schools to become better, to find their unique strengths – and that’s exactly what is happening here. The Lubny hromada is well prepared for the reform of upper secondary education, and importantly, they started this process early. They are already becoming a flagship – demonstrating best practices that other hromadas should adopt to prove that the reform drives success for schools and entire hromadas.”
Artem Horobets, moderator of the event and local and regional education expert for the Polaris programme, concluded:
“The educational architecture of a hromada is a mosaic composed of many elements: students, the teaching community, parents, the learning environment, leadership, transparency, and partnership. In Lubny, we witnessed true pieces of the New Ukrainian School mosaic – real-life examples of how a hromada can build effective education. And effective education means a capable hromada. Capable hromadas make a strong state. Today, together, we have taken another step towards new educational horizons.”
Inter-hromada partnership: Lubny and Novooryzhytska
A key moment of the forum was the participation of representatives from the neighbouring Novooryzhytska hromada. Its head admitted he had doubts about the feasibility of transporting senior students to the lyceum in Lubny. But after what he saw, he was convinced: it is precisely these kinds of schools that can provide children with quality education and a brighter future.
The forum clearly demonstrated that shared educational policy and coordinated collaboration between administrators, educators and parents can transform not only schools, but the future of an entire hromada.
This event became more than a platform for sharing experiences and innovations – it was a space where new partnerships are born: between teachers, schools and hromadas. Together – into new educational horizons!
