Legal and institutional transformation of the educational environment in Ukraine: analysis of the Integrity Development Strategy 2026–2030

This scientific article provides a comprehensive and thorough analysis of the Strategy for the Development of Integrity in Education for the period 2026–2030. The author defines this strategic document as a fundamental and essential roadmap designed to ensure a profound cultural and legal transformation of the entire national educational environment. The relevance of the study is justified by the urgent need to overcome the critical gap that has long existed between the theoretical foundations of academic ethics and their direct practical implementation in the daily activities of educational institutions. The systemic nature of this problem is due to the long-standing cultural legalization of dishonesty, through which corrupt practices were perceived as acceptable social strategies. The author emphasizes that the integration of ethical norms is not only an internal need of the system, but also a strategic requirement in the context of European integration processes and the harmonization of Ukrainian legislation with international standards. The work focuses in particular on the study of the dynamic evolution of the concept of integrity: from its perception as a purely declarative moral principle to its status as a clear legal norm. This transition involves establishing specific legal consequences for violations of integrity standards and forming a systemic anti-corruption effect at all hierarchical levels of management. The scientific research is based on a methodological consideration of the logical model of the “Theory of Change,” which proposes the interaction of three key strategic vectors of development. The first vector focuses on the development and implementation of an innovative methodological base and modern didactic tools that go beyond traditional didactics and involve the creation of adaptive learning resources. The second vector is aimed at significantly strengthening professional capacity, expanding autonomy, and increasing the responsibility of educators as the main bearers of the state’s intellectual capital and ethical guidelines. The third vector covers the development and implementation of digital, transparent models of educational institution management based on the principles of openness and accountability to the public. The article separately analyzes the impact of MES Order No. 842, which establishes intolerance to corruption as a mandatory general competency for all specialties. The author argues that this transforms integrity from a formal slogan into a mandatory foundation for training specialists, especially in the fields of law, international relations, and public administration. Particular attention is paid to the long 15-year cycle of an individual’s stay in the education system, which is seen as a unique window of opportunity for the formation of sustainable “ethical immunity.” The study also covers the use of self-assessment tools, such as the EvaluED system and the Transparent School project, which enable institutions to identify corruption risks independently. The author concludes that the successful implementation of the Strategy until 2030 will enable the cultivation of a new generation of citizens capable of acting ethically not out of fear of sanctions, but out of a formed internal conviction. This is a critical condition for the sustainable development of Ukraine as a European state governed by the rule of law, where academic integrity becomes a basic tool for state-building and public trust.