Reintroduction of State Final Attestation: Key Dates and Innovations for Ukrainian Schools
In Ukraine, the educational landscape is on the verge of significant changes amid adjustments prompted by the ongoing war.
Notably, in 2023, final attestations for fourth and tenth graders were canceled, marking a response to current challenges and the need to adapt the educational system to new realities.
However, recent announcements from the Ukraine Center for Educational Quality Assessment (UCEQAO) indicate that plans are underway to restore this important form of student evaluation.
According to their statements, in 2026, pilot testing of new formats of the State Final Attestation (SFA) will be conducted for primary school students.
This initiative aims to involve over 10,000 fourth-grade students from various regions to trial a new assessment system through a specially developed educational platform, currently in IT development.
In autumn 2026, assessment tools for 9th graders will also be tested, focusing on language-literature (state language) and mathematics.
Approximately 2,000 tenth-graders, educated under the New Ukrainian School methodology, will participate in this phase.
The plan is to continue pilot testing for tenth-grade SFA in 2027, and by 2028, a full launch of the SFA-9 system covering two main subjects is anticipated.
The comprehensive implementation of this system is expected no earlier than 2029.
As for the 4th-grade SFA, its mass rollout could begin as early as 2027, but this decision will depend on circumstances, including the ongoing war.
These reforms are part of a broader effort to modernize and adapt Ukraine’s education system to contemporary challenges.
The ongoing discussions around updating assessment formats and procedures are poised to significantly influence future approaches to student evaluations and state certification in Ukraine.