The draft state budget for 2026 provides for a 50% increase in the average salary for teachers: from January 1 by 30% and from September 1 by 20%. Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi announced this on Facebook, the Ukrainian News agency reports.
In particular, he said that the draft state budget for 2026 provides for UAH 265.4 billion for financing education and science in 2026, funding compared to the 2025 budget increases by UAH 66.5 billion.
"First of all (the draft state budget for 2026 provides for) increasing the average salary for teachers by 50%. UAH 41.8 billion is allocated for this need. It is proposed to increase salaries in several stages. From January 1 by 30% and from September 1, 2026 by 20%. This year, funds were found for additional payments, next year for an increase," he said.
In addition, it is planned to expand free lunches to all students from October 1, 2026.
"Starting in the new year, free lunches will continue to be provided to students in grades 1–4 and high school students in front-line regions. Starting from the next academic year, the program will be expanded to everyone. UAH 14.4 billion is allocated for this purpose. This is about children's health and equal opportunities," the minister said.
UAH 15 billion (+UAH 3.2 billion by 2025) is allocated for the construction of underground shelter schools, the arrangement of laboratories, and the provision of school buses to communities.
It is also planned to increase the amount of scholarships for 163,000 students, UAH 6.6 billion (+UAH 1.2 billion by 2025) is allocated for this.
Lisovyi also reported that a record UAH 19.9 billion (+UAH 5.4 billion by 2025) have been allocated to finance the scientific sphere in the budget.
As the Ukrainian News agency earlier reported, on September 15, the Cabinet of Ministers approved the draft state budget for 2026 and submitted it to the Verkhovna Rada for approval. The total expenditures of the 2026 state budget will amount to UAH 4.8 trillion, of which UAH 2.8 trillion is for defense and security. The share of education and science in the budget will be 6% of all expenditures.
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