Important Update Regarding Education for Children and Youth from the TOT: The Cabinet of Ministers Approves the Procedure for Recognizing Learning Outcomes Acquired in the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine

Here we outline the government’s decision designed to enhance the protection of the right to education.

On July 15, 2025, the Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine approved the Procedure for Recognizing Learning Outcomes Acquired in the Temporarily Occupied Territory of Ukraine. This refers to the recognition of learning outcomes at the levels of vocational (vocational-technical), professional pre-tertiary, and higher education. However, learning outcomes at the second (Master’s) and third (educational-scientific/educational-creative) levels of higher education are not recognized, except for educational programs for the training of Masters in the fields of medicine, pharmacy, and veterinary science.

Why does it matter?
This decision will help people who obtained their education in the temporarily occupied territories to go through the procedure for recognizing their learning outcomes, continue their studies in government-controlled territory of Ukraine, find employment, and build their future in Ukraine without hindrance.

The CF “East SOS”, along with a number of civil society organizations, has long advocated for the approval of such a procedure. Its adoption marks progress in ensuring access to education for people from the TOT.

The resolution stipulates that the procedure shall be carried out based on the principles of impartiality, equal access, transparency, confidentiality of information, and the applicant’s voluntary participation.

The recognition of learning outcomes shall be conducted by authorized institutions in the physical presence of the applicant. Under certain conditions, it can also be carried out remotely.

This procedure includes, in particular, the following stages:

• submission of an application, an education declaration, and other relevant documents;
• conducting an introductory interview between the Committee and the applicant;
• evaluation of the applicant’s learning outcomes;
• making a decision on providing recommendations regarding the evaluation of the applicant’s learning outcomes;
• approval, by the head of the authorized institution, of an order on the recognition of the applicant’s learning outcomes based on the Committee’s recommendations.

At the same time, the resolution specifies a list of professions for which the learning outcomes acquired in the temporarily occupied territory of Ukraine are not subject to recognition. This list can be found in the annexes to the resolution.

Read the full text of the resolution.

Prior to this, applicants from the TOT could obtain Ukrainian-standard educational documents only by applying to the “Crimea–Ukraine” and “Donbas–Ukraine” educational centres during enrolment or external studies. Therefore, this resolution is a major step forward in protecting the right to education for young people from the TOT.

The advocacy efforts of the Foundation are carried out as part of the project “Support to War-Affected Vulnerable Populations and Residents of Remote Areas of Ukraine,” funded by the EU (European Union in Ukraine).

In June, the CF “East SOS” released an analytical brief on the activities of the “Crimea–Ukraine” and “Donbas–Ukraine” educational centres.