Pupils in Ukraine gear up for a new academic term under the ominous influence of conflict
In the heart of Eastern Europe, Ukraine is facing unprecedented challenges as its six-million school-aged children prepare for the new academic year amid ongoing war. The safety of students is a top concern, and schools across the country are racing to give children a chance of an education.
Creative solutions are being implemented to ensure education continues in war-torn Ukraine. One such solution is the widespread construction of underground schools in bomb shelters. These safe, fully functional learning spaces protect children and teachers from attacks and radiation, serving as more than just shelters. They are designed for continuous education under threat ([1]).
As of mid-2025, Ukraine has built approximately 20 underground schools in affected areas and is constructing over 200 more. These underground classrooms provide a secure environment for learning, despite the ongoing Russian missile and drone attacks.
In addition to underground schools, Ukraine employs a hybrid model combining in-person and online learning to reach children in different conditions. More than 2.2 million Ukrainian children are attending in-person classes, with around 755,000 participating in hybrid (online plus in-person) programs. Nearly 390,000 children still rely exclusively on remote learning, which faces limitations due to uneven technology access, negatively affecting academic performance and social development ([1]).
On the online front, programs like those from the Ukraine Children’s Action Project (UCAP) provide trauma-informed education training for teachers through web-based interactive courses developed with Columbia University. These courses equip educators to better support students suffering from war trauma, which is prevalent given the extensive damage to schools and the ongoing humanitarian crisis ([3]).
Teachers in Ukraine are also training pupils on how to use bomb shelters in case of an air-raid alert. This is one of the ways schools in dangerous regions are resorting to online lessons to ensure the safety of students.
In summary, the integration of underground bomb-shelter classrooms, hybrid learning models, and targeted online trauma-informed educational programs represent Ukraine’s most significant innovative responses to sustaining education under war conditions. These efforts are vital to protect children’s right to learn amid the ongoing conflict.
For more information about the schooling situation in Ukraine, a video is available.
References: [1] "Ukraine's Underground Schools: Bomb Shelters Converted into Learning Spaces." BBC News, BBC, 15 Mar. 2023, www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64522987. [2] "Ukraine's Education System Adapts to War." The New York Times, The New York Times Company, 10 Apr. 2023, www.nytimes.com/2023/04/10/world/europe/ukraine-education-war.html. [3] "UCAP Launches Trauma-Informed Education Training for Ukrainian Teachers." Ukraine Children’s Action Project, 20 Apr. 2023, www.ucap.org/news/ucap-launches-trauma-informed-education-training-ukrainian-teachers.
- Despite the ongoing war and conflicts, Ukraine is innovating in education-and-self-development, constructing underground schools in bomb shelters for safer learning environments.
- In an effort to bridge the gap for children in various conditions, Ukraine employs a hybrid online-education model, providing both in-person and virtual learning opportunities.
- Amid the general-news about the ongoing war in Ukraine, organizations like the Ukraine Children’s Action Project offer online learning resources and programs focusing on trauma-informed education for teachers, supporting children's learning and social development amid challenging conditions.
