Mariya Zubryts’ka for Dzerkalo Tyzhnya: Tendencies in our Education System Give Cause for Alarm

Friday, 30 December 2011

Even a superficial analysis of the new Polish law on Higher Education and the legislation registered in the Ukrainian Parliament indicate that Ukraine is moving in the opposite direction of Poland.  Poland has finally rejected centralized standards in higher education and has made the revolutionary first step towards full academic freedom.  Academic freedom is crucial if universities are to have autonomy.  Universities themselves determine how to prepare their students, and they decide exactly which programs and courses to offer.  The new law allows establishments of higher education to offer various unique courses and programs.

The legislation presented by the Ministry of Education and Science, Youth and Sports of Ukraine proposes to protect strict centralization and hierarchy by law.  In the XXI century, when laws are developing dynamically and competencies are broadening, excessive centralization in higher education is not an instrument which fosters development, but hinders it.  It is promised that universities will be given broader autonomy in handling their finances.  However "broader autonomy" first of all requires academic autonomy.  This includes the right of each HEI to determine, for example what EIT certificates they require for admissions.  In Ukraine this decision is made by the Ministry of Education.  The right for students to choose their majors, as evidenced by a student centered approached in the educational process, is authoritatively limited in Ukraine because the Ministry feels they know best what students need.  Interdisciplinary studies which are guaranteed by the new Polish law on higher education, in Ukraine remain illegal, contrary to all tendencies in higher education in the world today.

More details on the Dzerkalo Tyzhnya site.