Ukrainian children forced to learn underground as new year starts in the shadow of Russian assaults
Pupils across Ukraine returned to school on Monday, embarking on a new academic year under the shadow of Russia’s ongoing invasion, with many lessons now taking place underground.
Since the war began in February 2022, schools have innovated to keep education alive.
In Bobryk, a village in the northern Sumy region, close to the front line, one school moved its classrooms into a basement two years ago.
This drastic step was taken as air raid alerts could stretch for up to 20 hours, paralysing surface-level classes.
Principal Oleksii Korenivskyi emphasised the critical importance of their work, stating: “We must do everything so this generation is not lost. Time is the only thing you cannot make up.
“This is our future, and we must give it everything we have.”
Students’ education had already been impacted by Covid lockdowns.
Housed in an administrative building never designed for teaching, the makeshift underground school features narrow classrooms, often separated only by sheets of heavy plastic.
With no windows or doors, children’s voices blend into a continuous chorus. On Monday, many arrived in traditional embroidered vyshyvanka shirts.
Teachers’ desks were adorned with fresh flowers, a customary gift from the children to mark the new academic year.
“Unfortunately, this ‘neighbour’ isn’t going anywhere,” said Oleksii, referring to Russia, when describing how much had to be done to make it happen and that it was worth it.
The once damp and dark basement was refurbished with ventilation, electricity and new flooring.
It is just one example of how Ukrainians are adapting to keep life moving with no end in sight to Russia’s grinding assault.
Bobryk, with a population of about 2,000, has a small school with classes of about 10 children each. This year, only seven sat in the first-grade room.
