MODELS OF EDUCATIONAL MANAGEMENT IN THE EUROPEAN UNION: IMPLEMENTATION OPPORTUNITIES FOR UKRAINE

Abstract

The purpose of the article. The article investigates the leading models of educational management functioning in the European Union (EU) and assesses the possibilities of their implementation within the governance system of general secondary education institutions in Ukraine. The urgency of this task is underscored by Ukraine’s strategic orientation toward European integration and the need to rebuild and modernize the national education system in the post-war period. Methodology of research. The study is based on comparative and contextual analysis of educational governance models in Finland, Germany, Poland, and Spain. The research methodology includes the review and synthesis of academic literature, policy frameworks, and practical case studies. Emphasis is placed on identifying institutional mechanisms, funding models, levels of school autonomy, digital governance tools and practices of stakeholder engagement at the local and regional levels. Findings. The research reveals that EU countries with resilient and effective education systems share several common governance characteristics: decentralization of decision-making authority, strong school-level autonomy, use of integrated digital platforms for monitoring and evaluation, and active involvement of stakeholders such as parents, communities, and local authorities. The analysis demonstrates that these features contribute not only to improved educational outcomes but also to system-level adaptability in the face of crises. For Ukraine, successful implementation of EU-based models requires a comprehensive reform strategy. This includes alignment of national regulations with European standards, development of digital infrastructure for educational management, targeted training and certification of school leaders, and the formation of academic and professional communities at the regional level. Practical value. The practical significance of the research lies in its policy-oriented recommendations aimed at strengthening Ukraine’s educational governance capacity. In the context of post-war recovery and decentralization, the integration of European best practices can serve as a catalyst for long-term, sustainable transformation in Ukraine’s education sector, fully aligned with the values and standards of the European Education Area.