The Ministry of Education and Science has begun the phased introduction of a system of vocational guidance and career counselling in schools. In a letter dated 29 September 2026, the Ministry recommended that teachers be selected for specialised training to work with pupils in Years 7–9 and 10–12.
Briefly about the main points
- The Ministry of Education and Science has recommended that schools select teachers to provide career guidance.
- For institutions offering two levels of study, at least two candidates are required.
- This involves training staff, not the immediate creation of two permanent posts.
- Teacher training has already begun in 150 pilot academic lyceums.
Who will career advisers be helping?
Letter from the Ministry of Education and Science No. 1/21011-26 This concerns the introduction of a system of vocational guidance and career counselling in general secondary schools. For the selection of teachers, the Ministry has separately identified basic secondary schools — Years 7–9 — and specialised upper secondary schools — Years 10–12.
According to the description provided by the Ministry of Education and Science, A careers and education adviser will help pupils to plan and, where necessary, adjust their educational and career paths. For Year 9 pupils, this can provide support when choosing their next stage of education, and for sixth-formers, when choosing their specialism and the next step in their education.
Counsellors should work with pupils both individually and in groups, as well as liaise with parents, teachers and the school’s partners, the Ministry stated.
How many teachers do they recommend identifying?
For work with pupils in Years 7–9, the Ministry of Education and Science recommends appointing at least one teacher, and for Years 10–12, at least one teacher as well. If the school provides education at both levels, at least two teachers should be appointed for professional development.
If necessary, the number of candidates may be higher: the Ministry also recommends establishing a talent pool. This involves training staff and ensuring they carry out the relevant duties, rather than an obligation to immediately introduce two separate permanent posts in every school.
The job title «Career Education Adviser» was added to the Classification of Occupations in April 2026. At the same time, as of July, the professional standard had been put out for public consultation by the Ministry of Education and Science, and changes to the staffing standards for general secondary education institutions were planned for 2027.
Preparations have already begun in the pilot lyceums
A typical professional development programme for teachers, who will act as career guidance counsellors, were approved by the Ministry of Education and Science by order dated 6 August 2026. Training will be organised separately for staff at primary and secondary schools.
On 19 August, the Ministry of Education and Science began training teachers for 150 pilot academic lyceums. The ministry described this as the first stage of the comprehensive roll-out of the system, to be followed by monitoring, trainer development and further scaling up.
A model syllabus has also been prepared for pupils in Years 8–9 for the optional course «Careers». By order of the Ministry of Education and Science dated 21 May 2026, the programme was awarded the «Recommended by the Ministry of Education and Science» designation; however, this does not make the course compulsory for all schools. The letter dated 29 September does not set a single date by which career advisers must begin work in every school.
