Full Breakdown
The Start of the School Year Amidst Conflict in Ukraine
9/3/2025, 9:08:49 PM
Militarization of Education in Occupied Territories
On September 1, 2025, children in Russian-occupied areas of Ukraine returned to school under a regime that emphasizes loyalty to Russia and militarization. In Luhansk, Leonid Pasechnik, the Russia-installed head of the region, urged students to "love the motherland" and prepare for military service. Reports from the Center for National Resistance indicated that children were being trained in combat techniques, with instructors stating this was preparation for military formations. This educational approach, which includes the distribution of Russian propaganda and a curriculum controlled by Moscow, has drawn international condemnation for violating the Geneva Convention on the Protection of Civilian Persons in Time of War.
Education Under Siege: Ukrainian Schools Adapt
In stark contrast, Ukrainian schools have adapted to the ongoing conflict by relocating classes underground. In regions like Kharkiv and Sumy, schools have moved to basements to protect students from Russian airstrikes. As of September 1, 2025, Kharkiv has opened seven underground schools, with plans for more. Parents express a desire for their children to experience normalcy despite the war, with one mother stating, “We did not expect it would be possible this year, but as a parent, I was desperate for my child to be able to attend normal school.”
Challenges of Returning to Classrooms
Despite the efforts to resume in-person education, the threat of air raids remains a constant concern. In Bobryk, Sumy, students began their school year in a basement, where air-raid sirens frequently interrupted lessons. The principal emphasized the importance of keeping the educational process alive, stating, “We must do everything so this generation is not lost.” Similarly, in Kyiv, students from Mariupol attended classes for the first time in years, only to be interrupted by air-raid warnings.
Resilience of Jewish Educational Institutions
Jewish schools in Ukraine, such as the "Perlina-Or Avner" school in Kyiv, have also continued their operations despite the war. The school serves as a refuge for children, including those displaced from eastern Ukraine. Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch highlighted the significance of maintaining educational activities, stating, “Every child sitting in a classroom is a victory over darkness and evil.” This sentiment reflects the broader resilience of Ukrainian society in the face of ongoing conflict.
Official Statements & Responses
Ukrainian officials have condemned the militarization of education in occupied territories, while emphasizing the importance of providing safe learning environments for children. Inna Sovsun, a lawmaker from the Holos political faction, criticized the ongoing pattern of militarization in schools, noting that the educational certificates issued in occupied territories are only recognized in Russia, limiting students' future opportunities.
Conflicting Reports & Gaps
While reports indicate a significant number of underground schools have been established, the exact number of students able to access these facilities remains unclear. Additionally, the effectiveness of the Russian educational curriculum in occupied territories versus the Ukrainian underground schools is a subject of ongoing debate.
Verbatim Quotes
- “The 'instructors' openly said that this was preparation for selection into military formations,” — Jenny Mathers, Russia expert
- “We must do everything so this generation is not lost,” — Oleksii Korenivskyi, Principal of Bobryk School
- “Every child sitting in a classroom is a victory over darkness and evil.” — Rabbi Yonatan Markovitch, Chief Rabbi of Kyiv
The start of the school year in Ukraine highlights the stark contrasts between the experiences of children in occupied territories and those in areas still under Ukrainian control, underscoring the ongoing impact of war on education and childhood.
