Juvenile police explain new rules for admission to work in educational institutions: who will be checked more strictly
Strengthening the requirements for people who work with children and are involved in the educational process has become part of a broader approach to safety in schools and kindergartens. Now, both the professional qualities of the candidate and confirmation that he does not have circumstances that may become an obstacle to working in an educational environment are of crucial importance. Because of this, the employment procedure in education is increasingly based on a preliminary check, during which the institution must receive documentary confirmation of the person’s compliance with the established requirements.
In Ukraine, the procedure for admission to work in educational institutions has changed – the new requirements are based on the Law “On Complete General Secondary Education” and the Resolution of the Cabinet of Ministers of March 6, 2026 No. 297, and their practical application has been further clarified by the juvenile police. The juvenile police explained how to apply the new rules in practice.
According to law enforcement officers, after the update of the rules, it is no longer enough for candidates to submit a standard package of documents and undergo the usual formalities. Before being admitted to work, they must confirm compliance with the established requirements and undergo a mandatory check, which concerns both criminal records and individual administrative offenses. For the education system, such a check becomes a mandatory part of hiring, and for the applicant – a condition without which the formalities can no longer be considered complete.
The police reported that Article 19 of the Law “On Complete General Secondary Education” establishes a list of grounds on which a person cannot work in an educational institution. Persons with an outstanding or unexpired criminal record, as well as those who have been found guilty of offenses against sexual freedom or sexual integrity, are not allowed to work.
Separately, the law covers cases related to administrative liability. Restrictions apply to people who have been administratively punished for domestic violence, bullying, or failure to fulfill their obligations to raise children. We are talking about Article 173-2, Article 173-4, and Article 184 of the Code of Ukraine on Administrative Offenses.
To work in an educational institution or to participate in the educational process, a candidate must submit two documents. The first is an extract from the absence of a criminal record. The second is a certificate of absence or presence of administrative penalties for offenses related to domestic violence, bullying, or failure to fulfill obligations to raise children.
An extract of absence of criminal record can be obtained through the “Diya” portal, the “Diya” application, the electronic cabinet of the Ministry of Internal Affairs, service centers of the Ministry of Internal Affairs or the Central Administrative Center. It is important that this document was issued no earlier than 30 calendar days before submission. It contains information about criminal prosecution, as well as information about the presence or absence of a criminal record.
At the same time, a certificate of administrative penalties is issued by territorial police units at the place of residence or place of registration. You can submit an application in person or through a representative if he has a notarized power of attorney. Copies of identity documents are submitted along with the application.
The police emphasized that such a control model is tied to the nature of the future work, because the educational process involves constant contact with children, educational influence and responsibility for the environment in which they are located.
In addition, the government approved a separate procedure for candidates for positions in preschool and general secondary education institutions by resolution No. 297 of March 6, 2026. This document establishes a mandatory procedure for confirming the suitability of candidates before employment.
For work in a preschool educational institution, the rules have a separate feature. The candidate is required to provide an extract from the “Diya” application stating that there is no criminal record, while a police certificate stating that there are no administrative penalties is not required in this case.
