According to data from the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, 10.7% of Ukrainian educational institutions had been damaged by February 2023. Only 60% of educational institutions have access to a shelter and can resume in-person learning. This implies that a large number of students have to learn virtually, whereas a certain number of schools have adopted a hybrid model of education.
Even though virtual learning has its limitations and poses considerable challenges, as proved by the COVID-19 lockdown, under present circumstances Ukraine has few options but to improve upon the conditions of online learning. To address this need, several online educational institutions have been established, including Svitlo Education, a free online school offering extracurricular classes to Ukrainian students in English.
Ukraine boasts a sophisticated educational system with a long tradition, encompassing primary, secondary, and higher education, and at least eight years of compulsory schooling. According to UNESCO, Ukrainian society is one of the most educated societies in the world with an 83% tertiary enrollment ratio.
In 2020, there were nearly 5.7 million registered students in Ukraine, which makes Ukraine one of the largest student markets in Europe. However, despite a near 100% literacy rate, the Ukrainian educational system has declined over the past twenty years, leading to an increasing number of students studying abroad. By 2018, the number of international Ukrainian students had tripled.
Furthermore, starting from the COVID-19 pandemic and continuing into the Russian war, the four-year disruption of the educational system in Ukraine has caused a significant deterioration in children’s academic performance, particularly in mathematics, science, and reading, according to PISA (Programme for International Student Assessment).
Another concern is the English language. According to a new law passed in Ukraine, English has become a compulsory subject in schools. However, after the war broke out, many English teachers left the country, and it has become increasingly challenging to find an English native speaker who teaches English in Ukraine. All of these events have paved the way for a new form of learning - online learning.
Even though distance learning is not a new concept, Ukrainian educational institutions transitioned online for the first time in 2020, as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic. Like many of their colleagues in other parts of the world, Ukrainian teachers were not equipped for this shift being unfamiliar with the methodology of distance learning. For this reason, some schools returned to in-person education with adequate precautionary measures. Concerns about limited communication and student participation, potential mental health issues, and motivation loss also influenced this decision.
However, in times of war, online learning has become inevitable. According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Education, over 3000 educational institutions have been damaged, 440 of which have been destroyed.
Given the circumstances, educational institutions in Ukraine are now trying to leverage the knowledge gained during the pandemic and improve upon it, starting with technical support and the digital literacy of educators.
There are several concerns related to distance learning, including the lack of funding to upgrade or acquire the necessary equipment. UNICEF has been establishing digital learning centres with funding from GPE (Global Partnership for Education) to help resolve this issue. These centres help students catch up on missed lessons and are equipped with shelters and a stable internet connection allowing the students to stay connected at all times.
Another concern relates to the psychological state of both the teachers and the students in the time of war which further leads to a lack of motivation as well as a substantial degree of anxiety among students.
Despite the challenges of distance learning, it’s still a great opportunity for students living in the far reaches of the country, rural areas, and conflict-affected areas to receive education.
Many schools founded by private individuals are also an option available to students. Svitlo Education is one such school established as a charity organisation in the UK. Svitlo School is free to attend and readily available to all Ukrainian students. Svitlo offers extracurricular lessons taught by native English speakers starting at 3:00 pm Kyiv time and on weekends, allowing students to attend their regular school classes in the morning.
The lessons at Svitlo are in English to help the students improve their language skills and expand their knowledge and interest beyond the standard curriculum. Svitlo’s goal is to nurture individuals ready to face the challenges of our rapidly changing world by educating global citizens and future political and social leaders.
In addition to many talented volunteer teachers, Svitlo partners up with accredited online schools like Highgrove Education, which is a British school, and Pearson Academy Online, an American school, offering its students bursary places at those schools and an opportunity to receive foreign school certificates without leaving their homes.
Supported by donations and more than sixty volunteer teachers, Svitlo has been a beacon of light for an ever-growing number of Ukrainian students. Opinions of satisfied students are the best proof that even online schools can maintain a high level of education and overcome the challenges of limited face-to-face interaction:
“My enthusiasm, expectations, and interest in this school appeared in the first seconds. That’s because I realised this is one of the greatest chances I’ve ever had. But after starting my studies at SvitloSchool, I realised that I was right. SvitloSchool knows how to cheer you up even in such difficult times. Even when you want to lie down and do nothing. But not with this school. It makes you want to continue studying and find the light that we need so much in all this darkness. SvitloSchool is not just a school anymore. It is a big family in its own way. So I want to say a big thank you to SvitloSchool!”
Antonia 15, Odessa, Ukraine
Ukraine’s reconstruction is tied to the rebuilding of the educational system. There’s still a long way to go before this mission is complete, but every small step that can help this process is important.
We believe that Svitlo can contribute immensely by providing the children of Ukraine with much-needed hope and knowledge now. As per student accounts, Svitlo is more than just a school to them. There’s a strong sense of connection among the students and a sense of human solidarity projected by our volunteer teachers and contributors.
The more students we can reach, the closer we will come to rebuilding their and Ukraine’s future.
If you are a student interested in our classes you can join us here.
Any amount you can spare is valuable, if you want to help our cause financially please follow this link.
All volunteers are treasured and welcomed, if you want to contribute your time you can do it here.
Thank you for supporting Svitlo Education (England and Wales charity registration: 1201542).
