Ukraine's education system continues to function amid the challenges of war, with students like 13-year-old Uliana adapting to new learning environments. Uliana, who fled from Zaporizhzhia due to missile attacks, now attends Lyceum #1 in Hostomel, a city east of Kyiv that is recovering from Russia’s early occupation. Her mother, Yevheniia, noted the importance of returning to in-person classes for her daughter's adaptation.
Hostomel Lyceum #1 accommodates 1,800 students, including 150 displaced children and another 700 directly affected by the war. The school operates in two shifts and has been renovated with community help. Despite regular air raid sirens interrupting classes, math teacher Nataliia Pryshchepa emphasizes the importance of creating a safe environment for students.
Across Ukraine, more than 3,373 educational institutions have been damaged or destroyed at a cost of $13.4 billion. Many children continue hybrid or online learning due to safety concerns.
The Lifting Education Access and Resilience in Times of Need (LEARN) program supports in-person learning by improving school safety conditions and providing resources such as free transportation and textbooks. This effort aligns with Ukraine's ongoing modernization reform known as the “New Ukrainian School” (NUS), which focuses on critical skills development and alignment with EU standards.
Iryna Tkachenko from the Lyceum highlighted NUS's emphasis on practical knowledge application and critical thinking skills. The reform encourages an interdisciplinary approach to teaching and fosters active citizenship among students.
The LEARN program aims to reach one million students and educators by the end of 2025 with financial support from international donors. This investment is seen as crucial for Ukraine's long-term recovery and prosperity.