Schooling in Wartime
“Ukrainian children are paying a high price in this war because attacks on education are attacks on their future” (H. Williamson, Human Rights Watch)
As the echoes of explosions and air raid sirens reverberate across the four corners of the country, schools abruptly ceased operations. Ukrainian authorities report that from February 24, 2022, to the present day, nearly 4,000 educational facilities have suffered damage or complete destruction. Amidst the devastating impact on a generation at the front lines, another generation, composed of children and teenagers, strives to secure a future. While online
education remains the only viable option in regions proximate to the front line, in many parts of the country, in-person education has resumed despite myriad challenges. For these educational facilities to function, they must provide shelter with a capacity equal to the total number of students. Otherwise, institutions resort to organizing shifts for lessons. Schools lacking adequate shelters, even those situated far from active conflict zones, are compelled to remain closed.
The threat from long-range missiles persists, with schools, kindergartens, and universities continuing to be targeted by Russian forces. The scarcity of educational facilities exacerbates the crisis, as not all damaged school buildings have been repaired. Beyond infrastructure, the war has permeated education in various aspects. Curricula now include courses on recognizing and responding to unexploded ordnance, lessons to acquire military skills, and computer simulations teaching drone operation.
Kharkiv, located just 30km from the Russian border, has implemented a distinctive solution to enable a small percentage of students to attend school in person. Lessons take place underground in five metro stations, offering a secure environment where meticulous attention has been given to aesthetics, ensuring students experience a pleasant and not merely functional setting.
(2023)
