In the heart of the war-torn city of Kherson, the sound of children's laughter has been replaced by the roar of incoming shells. For the city's youngest residents, the classroom is no longer a brightly lit room with posters on the walls, but a cramped, fortified basement where the curriculum has been brutally adapted to the realities of survival.
A Childhood Redefined by Conflict
The relentless Russian bombardment has forced education underground—literally. Schools now operate in cellars and bunkers, where lessons are frequently interrupted by air raid sirens. "We have two rules," explains one teacher. "First, get to the shelter quickly. Second, never stop learning." This relentless commitment to education highlights the Ukrainian spirit's refusal to be broken, even as the city above faces daily destruction.
Drones and Drama: The New School Subjects
Perhaps the most striking adaptation is the integration of wartime skills into the syllabus. Teenagers are now learning to code and pilot drones, a skill of immense practical value for both defence and reconnaissance. This isn't a hobby; it's a lesson in modern warfare, taught alongside mathematics and literature. The programme aims to empower the youth, turning them from passive victims into technologically savvy individuals who can contribute to their community's resilience.
The Psychological Toll of a Bunker Childhood
Beyond the physical danger lies a profound mental health crisis. Children are growing up in a state of perpetual fear and isolation, their world confined to the few square metres of their underground refuge. Experts warn of the long-term effects of this trauma. "They are losing their childhood," says a child psychologist working in the region. "Their games are about air raids, not fairy tales. The constant stress is shaping a generation marked by anxiety."
A City Under Siege, But Not Defeated
Despite the immense challenges, the determination of Kherson's educators and parents is unwavering. They are fighting not just for territory, but for the future of their children's minds. These underground classrooms are more than just places of learning; they are bunkers of hope, fiercely protecting the promise of a normal life once the shells fall silent.
