“We will not forgive them?”: the state of schools in the de-occupied territories (infographic)

The de-occupied territories are about experienced pain, despair, hopelessness and about returning to life. Not like it used to be. Scarred souls, mutilated by building explosions – this burden will not allow to live as before for a long time. However, it is worth striving for recovery step by step. Therefore, de-occupation is also about the experience that should be overcome and the problems that need to be solved – both individually and all together.   

With the return of control over the de-occupied territories, Ukrainian society faced one of the most important tasks – ensuring access to education for children who survived the horrors of war. 

Schools, once centers of knowledge and development, have become symbols of resilience and rebirth. 

However, the war continues and educational institutions are still facing numerous difficulties – damage and even complete destruction of buildings, deep cracks in walls, roofs, floors, left by shelling. Even the simplest things, such as desks, blackboards, books, became scarce.

In addition to physical damage, schools also face serious psycho-emotional problems for students. Children who return to school are often traumatized by the stresses of war. It is difficult for them to concentrate on lessons, adapt to a routine and interact with peers. Many of them need professional psychological help to overcome the consequences of the war and return to normal life.

According to UNESCO, the war caused serious damage to the educational infrastructure. 440 educational institutions were destroyed and more than 3,000 educational institutions were damaged. Charitable Foundation “East SOSIn June of this year, he presented the report “De-occupied territories of Ukraine: results of visits to educational institutions”, which aimed to draw the attention of Ukrainian society and the world community to the problems faced by schools that were under occupation. These are educational institutions of Donetsk region, Chernihiv region, Kharkiv region, Sumy region, Kherson region, Mykolaiv region. The collected statistics on the realities and problematic issues of these educational institutions deserve attention and advocacy.

We offer you an infographic that illustrates the state of education in the de-occupied territories. 

Where are students and teachers after de-occupation?

Most of the students of schools in the territories that were de-occupied are still in place (66%). Almost a third were forcibly evacuated: 14% relocated within Ukraine, 19% went abroad. Less than 1% are in the temporarily occupied territories of Ukraine.  Most of the students who became forced migrants study in schools in the Donetsk and Mykolaiv regions. The indicator reaches 30-51%. 

The situation with teachers is somewhat better. The vast majority of teachers (80%) work in their native schools after de-occupation. It is not just about the educators of the Donetsk region, where due to the temporary occupation and active hostilities, most of the teachers left (67-87%). 4% of all teachers teach from abroad. One teacher from the Kherson region is in the occupation among those interviewed. 

What do schools lack?

Most facilities have heating, cold water and electricity. A significant problem is the state of the bathrooms, only in half of the schools it is rated as satisfactory, almost a third of the educational institutions have similar facilities on the street. 

Almost all schools noted the need for assistance in repairs (often major) and construction of shelters. This is what prevents a significant number of educational institutions from resuming work in a face-to-face or mixed format. The lack of modern technology is also a painful issue. Computers and laptops that are at the disposal of schools are very outdated.

Most educational institutions are not adapted to the education of children with disabilities. They are not equipped with ramps, handrails, or call buttons. Schools do not have inclusive classes or resource rooms. At the same time, children with disabilities study in almost every one of these schools. 

None of the visited institutions has a renovated shelter that would be equipped with everything necessary for the comfortable stay of students during air raids. Only 75% of educational institutions are fenced. Less than a third of schools are equipped with video surveillance systems. 

Psycho-emotional state at 6.5 out of 10

The Foundation team rated the psycho-emotional state of teachers and students of de-occupied schools at 6.5 out of 10. Of course, this is just a number. It is followed by fear, anxiety, panic attacks, sleep disturbances, and eating disorders. Children are scared, they are afraid to be alone and fall asleep during air alarms. At the same time, they are closed and it is very difficult for teachers to establish emotional contact with them. 

The team of the charity foundation “East SOS”, which communicated with many students and teachers, gives a fragment of the interview:

“The child said that they were afraid. They hid in the cellar, only going out to the toilet. It was not always possible to even eat, because the Russian occupiers were walking around. They deployed tanks and shot at houses. We even wrote posters in Russian about the fact that people live here.

Tell me, Valentina Mykhailivna, we won’t forgive them, will we?

It is the child who asks the question. I have tears in my eyes.

I say: No, we will not forgive.

Difficult! It is felt that the child has trauma, deep patriotism, and love for his native home.”