“We really have a problem that the number of teachers is more than necessary for the student population that is now,” she said.

According to her, although this is a "very unpopular" initiative, teachers working in Ukrainian villages will need to undergo continuing education and retraining.

Novosad also said that this year a pilot certification project for teachers will be held in the country.

“Registration for certification is voluntary, and 1000 primary school teachers will be able to pass it,” the minister said.

At the same time, for those teachers who pass certification, a salary increase of 20% in 2020 is provided.

Earlier, Novosad announced the transition of Russian-language schools to the Ukrainian language of instruction in 2020.

Ex-deputy of the Verkhovna Rada Volodymyr Oleynyk in an interview with the FAN said that this initiative would cause a split and dissatisfaction of Ukrainian society.