Ukraine faces severe educational challenges as fifth school year begins

Ukrainian students are beginning their fifth school year since the start of the Russian invasion, facing significant disruptions due to ongoing conflict. In Kyiv, traditional celebrations for the start of the school year were interrupted by air raid sirens following overnight ballistic missile strikes.

Thousands of schools have adapted to wartime conditions by implementing remote or hybrid learning models, while classes are frequently held in shelters. Schools in occupied territories or heavily destroyed areas remain closed. Data from Kyiv’s education department indicates that 318 educational institutions have been damaged since the war began, including 156 schools.

The impact on academic performance is notable; the number of top-performing students in Kyiv has decreased by approximately 40 percent since September 2022. Ana Pucova, co-founder of the humanitarian foundation savED, described the current state of Ukrainian education as resembling a continuous obstacle course, noting that the system must constantly adapt to rapidly changing conditions.