On 11 February 2025, the Lubny hromada in the Poltava region hosted the “School Network Optimisation” simulation game, developed by Polaris Programme experts to model effective solutions for education development.
The game was facilitated by programme experts: Oleh Fasolya, Wojciech Marchlewski, Artem Horobets, Serhii Dyatlenko, and Vyacheslav Dolid, as well as invited trainers Serhii Rybak and Volodymyr Kolisnyk. Over 40 participants, including local government representatives, educators, students, parents, and other stakeholders, worked together to model effective solutions for education reform within the hromada.
Why is School Network Optimisation Necessary?
School network optimisation is a complex but necessary process aimed at improving the quality of education and ensuring the efficient use of resources. In Ukraine, as in many other countries, demographic changes, migration trends, and economic challenges require a reassessment of approaches to organising educational institutions.
According to Myroslav Kostenko, Head of the Education Department of the Lubny Hromada, the optimisation process must be well-considered and primarily focused on the interests of children:
“Our main task is to ensure that every child has access to primary and basic education, regardless of where they live. The Lubny hromada has already gone through a challenging process, and our network is now fairly balanced. We have two more years to find the best solutions that will meet children’s interests and guarantee a level of educational quality that we can be proud of. However, of course, there is always room for improvement.”
How Did the Game Work?
The game consisted of eight key tasks, each reflecting a specific stage in the optimisation process:
- Oxford-style debates – participants discussed the necessity of optimisation, considering community needs and budget constraints.
- Assessment of educational service efficiency – official statistical data from Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science was analysed.
- Evaluation of school operations – participants assessed individual schools based on statistical indicators.
- Education status report – a ranking of schools within the hromada was created based on the quality of education.
- Defining the main goal of optimisation – groups developed a strategic vision for school network development.
- Developing school network optimisation models – participants created preliminary models for optimising the community’s school network.
- Presentation of plans – each group presented their proposed changes.
- Voting for the best plan – participants collectively chose the most effective optimisation model.
Larysa Derkach, Head of the European Academic Lyceum of the Lubny City Council, shared her impressions of the simulation:
“It was fascinating to work in teams, analyse statistical data—including budget figures, student performance, and financial indicators. We had the opportunity to model an efficient school network in the Lubny hromada using real numbers. It was incredibly valuable that our team included not only educators but also students, administrators, representatives of the education department, and the city council. This experience is truly invaluable.”
Serhii Dyatlenko, Senior Expert of the Polaris Programme, noted that participants demonstrated strategic thinking and tried to make decisions from a state-level perspective. However, he pointed out that none of the groups considered one key factor—the potential of Lubny as an educational centre:
“Do you plan to attract senior students from neighbouring hromadas? If so, it would be logical to consider the option of having two lyceums, as this would provide competition and allow more students to enrol. Otherwise, with only one lyceum, there would be no capacity for expansion.”
Participants emphasised that the game helped them see the optimisation process not as a bureaucratic challenge but as an opportunity for real change.
“This game was a real eye-opener. We used to think of optimisation as something painful, but today I saw that it is a chance to improve our education system for children. Working with real data and making decisions as a team was incredibly useful,” said Maryna Hrytsun, a representative of the parental committee of the Zasulskiy Lyceum.
A Secret Participant in the Game
One of the most unexpected moments of the event was the revelation that Olena Popova, Chief Specialist of the Local Authorities Liaison Department of the Directorate for Secondary Education at the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, had participated in the game incognito. She joined to observe how communities tackle school network optimisation in real-life conditions.
At the end of the event, the organisers revealed the secret participant, which caused great surprise and discussion among the attendees.
Olena Popova shared her impressions, emphasising the importance of such initiatives for effectively implementing education reform:
“The formation of a network of institutions that will provide specialised secondary education from 2027 is one of the priorities of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and local governments. This is a complex process that involves not only transforming the school network but also changing the content and approaches to education.
School network optimisation often faces resistance, and I fully understand that making responsible decisions requires thorough analysis, consideration of community needs, and constructive dialogue with all stakeholders. The event organised by the Polaris Programme clearly demonstrated this. Administrators, educators, parents, and students worked together to find solutions, proving once again that real change is only possible through open and meaningful cooperation.”
Polaris and Local Education Development
The Polaris Programme supports educational initiatives and helps communities implement reforms and innovative approaches to school management. Such simulation games allow participants not only to analyse challenges but also to seek real solutions.
As Oleh Fasolya, Head of the Education Team of the Polaris Programme, highlighted, the key is not to delay the process but to act in the best interests of students:
“We wanted to show that communication is extremely important, that we must listen to one another regardless of our personal views or interests. We need to keep talking until we reach a consensus. But it is also important to remember: a child can receive their secondary education only once in their life. If we spend years arguing in search of the perfect solution, children will lose their chance for a quality education every single year.”
The Polaris Programme continues to support local governments in their efforts to ensure high-quality education for hromada residents.
