The latest data paint a grim picture: 57 percent of teachers report a decline in students’ Ukrainian language abilities and 45 percent saw reduced mathematics skills. These statistics reveal the magnitude of the crisis.
The latest data paint a grim picture: 57 percent of teachers report a decline in students’ Ukrainian language abilities and 45 percent saw reduced mathematics skills. These statistics reveal the magnitude of the crisis.
As Ukraine embarks on its fourth year of disrupted schooling, a combination of factors, including the ongoing conflict with Russia and the persistent pandemic, is taking a severe toll on the nation’s education system. New data has unveiled a troubling reality: Children across Ukraine are facing significant challenges in their pursuit of education, with proficiency in the Ukrainian language, mathematics, and foreign languages deteriorating.
UNICEF’s regional director for Europe and Central Asia, Regina De Dominicis, has sounded the alarm. She points out that relentless attacks on schools have left Ukrainian children distressed and devoid of safe learning environments. This not only hampers their educational progress but also erodes the knowledge they gained when schools were fully operational.
Disrupted learning
The latest survey data paints a grim picture. Up to 57 percent of teachers report a decline in students’ Ukrainian language abilities, with up to 45 percent citing reduced mathematics skills and up to 52 percent reporting a drop in foreign language proficiency. These statistics underscore the magnitude of the crisis.
One of the key findings is that only a third of primary and secondary school-aged children enrolled in Ukrainian schools are experiencing full in-person learning. The remaining two-thirds are navigating a challenging landscape of mixed in-person and online learning or are entirely reliant on online education.
While online learning has been an essential lifeline during these trying times, it cannot replace the vital in-person classes that play a pivotal role in social development and foundational learning, especially for young children. Ukraine’s education reform, aimed at nurturing children’s competencies and skills, is now in jeopardy due to the disruptions caused by the conflict and the pandemic.
National survey data reveals another concerning trend. Two-thirds of preschool-age children are not attending preschool, with a staggering three-quarters of parents in frontline areas refraining from sending their children to preschool. This absence from early education has far-reaching consequences for their future development.
Beyond a place of learning
For Ukraine’s refugee children, the academic year ahead is shrouded in uncertainty. Over half of these children, spanning preschool to secondary school age, are not enrolled in national education systems across seven countries hosting refugees. Language barriers, limited school access, and overstretched education systems are contributing factors to these low enrollment rates. In many cases, refugee children are attempting to study online, either through the Ukrainian curriculum or other distance learning platforms. Unfortunately, some have abandoned their education altogether, compounding an already dire situation.
In times of crisis or conflict, schools serve as more than just places of learning. They offer a sense of routine and safety for children who have endured loss, displacement, and violence. Schools also provide opportunities for friendship, access to vital services such as vaccines and nutrition, and essential mental health support.
Enhancing access to education
Amid this education crisis, UNICEF has taken an active role in partnering with governments and organizations both in Ukraine and the nations hosting refugees. Their mission is clear: to enhance access to quality education. This involves integrating children into national education systems and offering diverse learning options. Additionally, UNICEF is equipping teachers with essential skills to support vulnerable students, providing language courses, and offering crucial mental health support.
Furthermore, UNICEF is collaborating closely with the Ukrainian government to facilitate learning recovery. This includes rehabilitating schools and delivering catch-up classes in core subjects. They aim to assist approximately 300,000 at-risk children in Ukraine during the upcoming school year. Additionally, they are focusing on scaling up early childhood education systems and services to provide sustained support.
Ukraine’s education system is facing a multifaceted crisis, with the ongoing conflict and the pandemic eroding the quality of education and access for children across the nation. UNICEF’s efforts, alongside government and organizational partnerships, are crucial in mitigating the impact of these challenges and ensuring that the children of Ukraine have the opportunity to learn, grow, and build a brighter future.
However, addressing the deep-rooted issues plaguing Ukraine’s education system will require sustained commitment and resources from all stakeholders involved.
