Deadline for mandatory certification of foreign language teachers extended to end of 2025

The order upholds the requirement that all foreign language teachers in general secondary schools must hold at least a B2-level national certificate or an equivalent international certificate.

Teachers are required to provide a written commitment to take national or international language certification exams conducted by authorized organizations by the end of 2025.

By 1 December, additional training sessions will be organized for teachers who do not yet hold the required certificates. These will be arranged by district and city preschool and school departments, with the involvement of qualified specialists, to prepare teachers for the certification exams.

The order does not specify whether those who fail to obtain a B2-level national or equivalent international certificate by the end of 2025 will have their employment contracts terminated.

However, to address possible vacancies during the current academic year, schools are instructed to form a reserve of potential teachers from among third- and fourth-year university students specializing in foreign language teaching who already possess the required certificates.

According to government decisions adopted in 2021, all foreign language teachers are required to obtain at least a B2-level national or equivalent international certificate by the 2025/26 academic year. In July 2025, the Republican Council of the Trade Union of Education and Science Workers submitted a proposal to the Ministry of Preschool and School Education, recommending that teachers without international certificates not be dismissed.