KYIV, August 27, 2024 – According to a new report from Save the Children, around 66% of children in frontline areas of Ukraine are unable to attend school in person due to the ongoing conflict. Instead, they are forced to rely on remote learning, which is significantly hampered by war-related challenges.
The report, titled “I Want a Peaceful Sky: Education and Children’s Wellbeing in Wartime Ukraine,” highlights the severe impact that nearly two years of full-scale war has had on education in Ukraine. The conflict has displaced over 25% of the country’s 38 million residents, affecting approximately 1,500 students, caregivers, and teachers.
In a survey of 334 children from six frontline regions—Chernihiv, Kharkiv, Donetsk, Dnipro, Zaporizhzhia, and Mykolaiv—64% reported attending school only online. In contrast, 15% managed to attend classes in person, while 17% used a combination of both methods.
Approximately 973,000 children are enrolled in schools across these frontline regions. However, schools in these areas remain closed due to the threat of airstrikes and shelling. Additionally, thousands of schools throughout the country cannot reopen because they lack adequate protective shelters. As a result, nearly 1.9 million school-aged children in Ukraine rely on remote education, either full-time or part-time, according to the Ministry of Education.
The report also reveals that many children face significant obstacles to online learning, including broken smartphones, poor internet connectivity (79%), lack of electronic devices (42%), and electricity shortages (40%).
Anton*, an 11-year-old fifth grader from Mykolaiv, shared his frustration: “Now learning is online. If I lose internet or electricity, I can’t attend lessons. It’s not the same as before. I hope the war ends soon so we can return to school.”
Maryna*, a principal in the Kherson region, emphasized the broader importance of in-person education: “School education is not just about grades and learning; it’s crucial for developing communication skills, socialization, and the ability to interact with others.”
The conflict has severely damaged the education infrastructure in Ukraine. Over 3,000 educational institutions have been damaged, with more than 300 destroyed, representing over 10% of the country’s schools. In heavily affected areas like Kharkiv and Donetsk, more than 90% of schools have suffered damage.
In Kharkiv, which faces daily bombardments, local authorities have relocated classrooms to subway stations to ensure continuity of education. Maryna*, a 17-year-old student, shared her experience of studying underground: “I don’t hear the shelling or alarms down here, so I’m not anxious. It’s easier to focus and interact with friends and teachers compared to studying at home.”
The shortage of teachers is another significant issue. Over 43,000 teachers—about 10% of Ukraine’s teaching workforce—are displaced, either within the country or abroad. Additionally, many teachers are balancing their duties with humanitarian work.
Sonia Khush, Save the Children’s Country Director for Ukraine, commented: “Education is vital not just for learning, but for socialization. After more than two years of war, many children in Ukraine have never been in a classroom. Despite these challenges, the resilience of children, parents, and teachers is remarkable. Ongoing support from governments, donors, and the international community is essential to mitigate the war’s impact on education.”
Save the Children urges all parties to respect international humanitarian and human rights laws, which protect civilians and civilian infrastructure, including homes, schools, and hospitals.
Since 2014, Save the Children has been working in Ukraine and has increased its efforts since the war escalated in February 2022. The organization has established about 90 Digital Learning Centres with the necessary tools and trained facilitators. It has also funded the renovation of 70 schools and kindergartens and provided laptops and tablets to ensure that children can continue learning remotely.