Silent Classrooms: The Impact of Ukraine's War on Education

• Burhan Hasnain 25020257
• Nov 26, 2023
• 2 min read

As Russia’s conflict with Ukraine persists, the toll on the country’s educational system is far-reaching. Beyond the physical destruction of schools, the war has unleashed a wave of consequences that transcend borders, leaving a profound impact on the lives of students like nine-year-old Milana Minenko (Novak). Milana’s story, echoed by many others, reflects the harsh reality faced by Ukrainian students who have become unwilling victims of a conflict they had no control over. Russian forces have reportedly destroyed 262 educational buildings and damaged another 3,019, leaving countless children displaced and their education disrupted. This enforces me to raise the question “Why have students become victims of a geopolitical conflict they had no role in initiating? What mechanisms can be put in place to shield them from the devastating consequences of war?”

Officials in Ukraine have said they have attempted to keep education a priority in the country. They say the young generation of Ukrainians will need to be well educated to help rebuild the country after the war. I particularly agree with this statement because education is essential to foster critical thinking abilities and an innovative mindset to rebuilding a nation. However, is this priority realistically achievable given education competes with other crucial sectors such as healthcare, infrastructure, and social services for limited funds? Furthermore, the government claims that about 500 children have been killed, thousands have been sent to Russia without permission, and millions of Ukrainians seek refuge in other countries, 1.5 million in Poland alone, with the hope of going back “home” someday (Novak). This further on leads me to question how can the international community address the unique educational needs of these displaced students, especially when language barriers and cultural adjustments pose additional hurdles? Given that many of these students have been subject to much trauma, and may need additional counselling, should they be raised in the same environment as other children?

The picture above captures a part of the ‘Russification’ effect on Ukraine’s educational system. Given the devastating damages that the war has infiltrated on Ukranian children and schools, it would be extremely difficult to cope up with the loss without international support. UNESCO, in collaboration with MESU and other partners, has been actively aiding the Ukrainian education community in addressing critical issues such as damaged infrastructure, providing access to devices for remote learning, addressing mental health concerns among educators, offering capacity-building opportunities for teachers, and improving data infrastructure for educational governance. Although striking a balance between addressing the needs of the affected population and navigating diplomatic complexities requires careful consideration, after watching the BBC documentary on international aid in class, this also leads me to question whether this aid is reaching the intended population or not? If so, why haven’t we seen any substantial progress in the educational sector?