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Publication date: 27.05.2024
Lawyer, graduated from the National University "Odesa Law Academy" with honors. Since 2017, I have been specializing in legal and educational and general legal issues. I am the author of legal articles, scientific publications and articles in the educational environment. Mentor of the "Veritas" legal clinic. The owner of the legal blog "Educational_law_ua" on Instagram.
Pedagogical experience is a crucial element of professional development for teachers, educators, and other educational professionals. It reflects not only the duration of work in the education system but also the experience, professional skills, and knowledge acquired by educators throughout their careers. In Ukraine, the issue of pedagogical experience is regulated by a series of legal acts that define its significance, calculation methods, as well as the rights and privileges granted to educators based on their experience.
The Importance of Pedagogical Experience
Pedagogical experience plays a vital role in the professional lives of educators, as it impacts several important aspects, including:
- Career advancement: Pedagogical experience is considered during the certification of educational professionals, influencing their career growth and opportunities to hold higher positions.
- Financial security: The length of experience directly affects the salary, additional payments for years of service, and other financial benefits.
- Social guarantees: Pedagogical experience determines the right to certain types of social benefits, such as leaves, pension benefits, etc.
Legal Regulation of Pedagogical Experience
Constitution of Ukraine
The Constitution of Ukraine establishes the fundamental principles on which the education system is built in the country. In particular, Article 53 guarantees everyone's right to education and imposes on the state the obligation to ensure the development of the education system, including creating proper conditions for the work of educators and their professional development.
Law of Ukraine "On Education"
The Law of Ukraine "On Education" is the basic legal act regulating education issues in the country. According to this law, educational professionals have the right to certification, which takes into account their pedagogical experience. The law also defines the basic rights and duties of educational professionals, including the right to further qualification improvement and certification.
Practical Aspects of Calculating Pedagogical Experience
Determination of Experience
To determine pedagogical experience, the following periods are taken into account:
- Work on educational positions: All years, months, and days worked as a teacher, educator, lecturer, etc.
- Internship and qualification improvement: Time spent on attending qualification improvement courses, internships in other educational institutions, or scientific institutions.
- Breaks in work: Periods of leave due to pregnancy and childbirth, childcare up to three years, as well as military service in the Armed Forces of
- Ukraine.
Documentary Confirmation of Experience
To confirm pedagogical experience, relevant documents proving work on educational positions, participation in internships, and qualification improvement courses must be provided. These may include:
- Employment record book with relevant entries regarding employment, transfers, and dismissal.
- Certificates from the place of work confirming periods of work on educational positions.
- Certificates, diplomas, and other documents confirming participation in qualification improvement courses.
Calculation of Experience for Certification
During the certification of educational professionals, pedagogical experience is taken into account as one of the criteria for evaluating their professional activities. According to current legislation, to assign or confirm qualification categories and pedagogical titles, the total pedagogical experience is considered, as well as the results of professional activities and participation in qualification improvement activities.
Benefits and Guarantees Depending on Pedagogical Experience
Leaves and Vacation Days
According to the legislation, educational professionals are entitled to annual basic leave of not less than 56 calendar days. Additional vacation days may be granted depending on pedagogical experience and working conditions.
Salary and Allowances
Pedagogical experience directly affects the salary of educational professionals. According to current legislation, additional payments are established as a percentage of the base salary depending on the length of service:
- For work experience from 3 to 10 years – 10%.
- From 10 to 20 years – 20%.
- Over 20 years – 30%.
Pension Provision
Pedagogical experience is taken into account when calculating the pension for educational professionals. Specifically, educational professionals are entitled to a pension for years of service if they have worked on educational positions for at least 25 years. This allows educators to receive a pension before the general retirement age established by law.
Conclusion
Legal analysis of the situation determines that teaching experience is a key factor that determines professional development, financial support and social guarantees of teaching staff. Effective legal regulation and accounting of teaching experience is an important task for the state, therefore, to preserve it, a written consultation of a lawyer, his legal opinion or the help of a lawyer online through special legal services, such as YM "Consultant", can be useful.
