Estonian school culture to revitalise Ukrainian vocational education system

The three-year programme offers Ukrainian school principals, teachers and education officials the opportunity to learn about success stories from Estonia's education system, vocational education reform in Estonia, modern teaching methods and curriculum development. Special focus will be paid to the development of practical skills and adapting Estonia's innovative solutions to the needs of the Ukrainian system. The programme also aims to strengthen school leadership culture by implementing the principles of Estonia's Future School programme.

Education Reform and School Culture

"Education reform is not just about renewing curricula; it's about the holistic development of school culture. In supporting Ukrainian vocational education, our goal is to help create a learner-centred system that meets the needs of the labour market," said Kristi Kulu, ESTDEV's programme manager for Education, at today's project launch event in Zhytomyr.

According to the mayor of the Zhytomyr city council, Galina Šimanska, Estonia and Ukraine are both people-centred nations who care about the development of their people. “I wish that this cooperation between Zhytomyr and Estonia is mutually beneficial. Our children will benefit the most.”

The Future School Programme

The Future School Programme, begun in 2017 at Tallinn University, embodies a unique approach to whole-school improvement. This model helps schools develop a culture that supports learning and teaching. It is based on shared leadership, evidence-based decision-making and co-creation to improve students' learning experiences.

The Future School expert group at Tallinn University has many years of experience in supporting school teams to implement school culture improvement programmes and train future leaders. The members of this group of experts are the authors of an analysis of the Estonian general education school system, which describes how, since regaining independence, the Estonian state has built one of Europe’s most effective education systems, according to recent PISA results.

Estonia–Ukraine Cooperation

"In developing Ukrainian schools, we rely on the Future School model to shape a school culture together with local vocational school teams, where every learner is noticed, teachers are trusted and cooperation has meaning. Together, we are creating an education system that supports the formation of a free, responsible generation in Ukrainian schools," said one of the programme leaders, Prof. Eve Eisenschmidt from Tallinn University.

The programme consists of online courses, study visits and workshops in Zhytomyr and Tallinn. With funding from ESTDEV, Zhytomyr's vocational school development teams will participate in Tallinn University’s 2026 Educational Innovation and Leadership international microdegree program. Courses will take place in person and online.

The Role of Education Leaders

"Education reforms can only truly be implemented if change starts in the classroom - teachers need to want to learn. For this, strong education leaders have to create a supportive environment. Without strong education leaders, nothing can be done," said Liina Kersna, Estonia's former minister of Education and member of the Riigikogu Committee on Culture, at today's opening event.

Estonia’s Contribution to Development Cooperation

Ensuring high-quality education in priority countries is one of the central goals of Estonian development cooperation. In supporting the Ukrainian education sector, Estonia relies on its internationally recognised expertise and, through ESTDEV, offers a comprehensive education programme to address urgent wartime needs while creating a solid foundation for systemic reforms aligned with EU principles. ESTDEV currently finances 15 education projects in Ukraine.