Preparing for School Amidst Conflict
Kateryna Pylypenko faces the grim reality of sending her youngest son off to school with two backpacks. While one carries essential school supplies, the other holds essentials for bomb shelter survival.
Ukraine’s Education in the Shadow of War
Amidst Russia’s ongoing aggression against Ukraine, approximately 4 million children resumed their academic journeys in primary and secondary schools, as indicated by Ukraine’s education ministry.
Shift to Online Education Due to Safety Concerns
UNICEF reveals that a mere one-third of Ukraine’s school-enrolled children will participate in traditional face-to-face classes, with the majority opting for virtual learning to mitigate risks.
Parents’ Dilemma: Safety versus Normalcy
Pylypenko’s decision to send both her young sons to physical classrooms in Kyiv stems from a survey conducted by their school. Despite the evident threats posed by frequent Russian attacks on the capital, she prioritizes a semblance of a regular school experience for her children, especially with their father engaged on the war front.
Ukraine’s School Tradition Amidst Conflict
Traditionally, the commencement of the school year in Ukraine is marked with grandeur. Parents congregate outside school premises, children adorn themselves in their finest attire, and it’s customary for students to greet their educators with bouquets.
Prioritizing National Contributions over Traditions
This year, instead of investing in flowers, parents were urged to channel those funds to support the Ukrainian military. However, for Pylypenko, maintaining a semblance of tradition mattered. She remarked, “It’s all about the mood.”
Cherishing National Identity During Tough Times
Pylypenko expresses relief and pride that her son’s academic journey is beginning on Ukrainian soil rather than as refugees in foreign nations like Poland. The significance of home during pivotal life events holds immense value to her.
Concerns About Safety and Infrastructure
While her child’s school’s proximity offers some solace, concerns about potential attacks and basic amenities like electricity loom large in her mind as the conflict continues.
Far away in Zaporizhzhia, 9-year-old Dmytro Ukrainsky is among the children restricted from attending school. The city’s proximity to the southern Ukrainian front lines and regular assaults make face-to-face learning perilously risky.
The Changing Landscape of Education Amidst Conflict
Dmytro reminisces about his earlier school preferences, lamenting the constraints the conflict has imposed on practical subjects like physical education, particularly in confined spaces like apartments.
Parents’ Fears Over In-Person Schooling
Viktoriia Ukrainska, Dmytro’s mother, voices her concerns to CNN about sending her son to a physical school in the current volatile environment. The frequency of air raid alarms underscores the unpredictable danger, making the idea of in-person schooling unimaginable for her.
Students sing Ukraine’s national anthem as they attend a ceremony of the first day in school in Bucha, on Friday.
Impact of War on Ukraine’s Young Generation
The ongoing conflict in Ukraine has wreaked havoc on its youth, forever altering their innocence and childhood.
Staggering Statistics on Child Casualties
Ukraine’s official records reveal a bleak picture since Russia’s invasion in February 2022: 503 children have lost their lives, 1,117 have suffered injuries, over 1,100 are still unaccounted for, close to 20,000 have been uprooted from their homes, and countless more have sought refuge in foreign lands.
Ukraine’s Pursuit of Justice for Its Children
Ukrainian legal authorities have initiated more than 3,000 criminal proceedings concerning alleged Russian atrocities against children, with numerous accounts pointing towards torture. Despite these grave allegations, Moscow consistently refutes any claims of human rights violations.
Emotional and Educational Toll of the Conflict
UNICEF highlights that beyond the physical threats, children are grappling with the psychological impacts of the war. Their mental well-being is compromised, and disruptions to their education have led to academic setbacks. As a testament to this, a survey by UNICEF revealed that many educators in Ukraine have observed a decline in their students’ academic capabilities.
This school building in the city of Chernihiv was damaged in a Russian strike.
The Unknown Impact of War on Education
According to Ukrainian educational ombudsman Sergii Gorbachov, the true repercussions of the conflict on Ukraine’s education system remain uncertain. This ambiguity arises primarily due to the lack of data on numerous children residing in regions now under Russian control.
The Most Vulnerable Suffer the Most
Gorbachov stresses that the children in these occupied areas, who are virtually unreachable, are likely facing the most significant educational setbacks.
The Limitations of Online Learning
Yulia Dolzhanska, an educator in Kharkiv, underscores the inadequacy of online education in comparison to traditional classroom experiences. However, given the current circumstances in Ukraine, many have no choice but to resort to virtual learning.
Balancing In-Person and Online Learning Amidst Conflict
Dolzhanska’s school offers a hybrid learning model, combining online classes with the option for in-person meetings. However, she expresses concerns about unforeseen dangers, like air raid alarms or explosions. The challenge lies in ensuring the safety and well-being of both offline and online students during such emergencies.
Enhancing School Safety Amidst Warfare
Gorbachov highlighted the significant strides Ukraine has made in fortifying schools since the conflict’s escalation. The government’s safety initiatives include the construction of shelters and enhancements in remote learning. Presently, a substantial 84% of schools boast bunkers, a prerequisite for institutions keen on reintroducing in-person classes.
The Lingering Dream of Normalcy
For students like Dmytro Ukrainsky, the prospect of physically returning to school seems elusive. He recounts the last time he was with most of his classmates, which was before the onset of Russia’s invasion in 2022. Of his schoolmates, only a handful remain in Zaporizhzhia, and they seldom meet due to the perilous outdoor conditions and the obliteration of recreational spaces.
Yearning for Simpler Times
Dmytro’s wistfulness for school is palpable. Given a chance, he would eagerly return to his regular school life. He fondly remembers the minor joys, like the delectable chocolate chip buns from the school cafeteria, expressing a poignant longing for moments of normalcy amidst chaos.
