With Russia's full-scale invasion now in its fifth year, rushing to bomb shelters has become routine for schoolchildren across Ukraine. At Kyiv's School No. 5, deputy principal Natalia Efremova explained that children have grown accustomed to air raid alerts, but teachers and psychologists use techniques such as breathing exercises and physical activities to calm stressed pupils.
The methods were developed with help from Israeli counterparts, who deal with similar threats. Efremova noted that teachers completed training with Israeli psychologists before the war began, preparing them for the first alarm on 1 September 2022. She added that children often reflect adult views and that middle school students share news faster than staff via the internet.
During a visit in February, sub-zero temperatures and power cuts from Russian attacks forced lessons online. Snow covered sandbags on shelter windows, and water coolers froze. The school uses solar panels donated by the Kew Gardens branch of the Rotary Club in London, including contributions from former Richmond mayor Robin Jowit, 88, who has travelled to Ukraine three times.
Jowit said he finds pleasure in helping and does not consider himself brave, calling teachers the true heroes. Efremova estimated that about 50 families of pupils have relatives on the front lines, and five have lost loved ones in battle.
