Ukrainian teachers to have abroad service time count toward seniority bonus

According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, Ukrainian teachers working abroad will now have their teaching tenure outside of Ukraine recognized towards their length of service, qualifying them for a seniority bonus.

Lyuba Lyubchyk, Chair of the UWC’s International Educational Coordinating Council (IECC), called the decision a victory.

“Previously, this required an international agreement between Ukraine and the country where the teacher was employed. Of course, it is difficult to sign agreements with all the countries where Ukrainians have now moved. Therefore, the government decided to count the length of service of teaching and academic staff working in their profession in any country,” explained Deputy Minister Andrii Stashkiv.

Now, time spent teaching abroad will be counted towards service time, provided that supporting documents are submitted. This regulation will be in effect during martial law and will continue for one year after its conclusion. “Additionally, the time will be counted as teaching service if teaching and academic staff were not actually working but retained their position and/or salary (in full or in part),” added the ministry.

Teaching and academic staff at educational institutions in Ukraine are eligible for a monthly seniority bonus based on their length of service: a 10% bonus for more than 3 years, 20% for over 10 years, and 30% for over 20 years of service.