In the war-torn villages of northeastern Ukraine, a remarkable and desperate new chapter in education is unfolding deep beneath the earth. Communities are constructing fully functional schools in underground bunkers to shield their children from relentless Russian shelling and ensure their right to learning continues.
A Subterranean Sanctuary for Learning
The Independent has gained exclusive access to one such facility in the village of Bobryk, Kharkiv region. Here, what was once a simple basement has been transformed into a vibrant, if cramped, educational hub. Colourful drawings adorn reinforced concrete walls, and the determined voices of children reciting lessons echo through corridors built for survival, not schooling.
"Our Duty is to Protect Them"
Teachers and local officials speak of a grim necessity driving this underground movement. "We cannot allow a generation to lose their education because of this war," explains one headteacher, who requested anonymity for security reasons. "When the air raid sirens sound, which is constantly, they are already safe. This isn't just school anymore; it's a bunker that functions as a school."
The Psychological Toll on a Generation
Beyond the physical infrastructure, educators face the immense challenge of addressing the deep trauma inflicted upon their pupils. Lessons are frequently interrupted by the distant thud of artillery, and children undergo regular training on how to identify unexploded ordnance—a morbid addition to the standard curriculum of maths and literature.
Psychologists working with these children report widespread anxiety, but also incredible resilience. The routine of school, even in a bunker, provides a crucial anchor to normality and a powerful symbol of defiance against the forces trying to disrupt their lives.
A Widespread Phenomenon
This is not an isolated case. From Kharkiv to Kherson, communities in Ukraine's most heavily shelled regions are innovating to save their education system. The Ukrainian government, recognising the scale of the problem, has begun supporting these initiatives, formalising safety protocols and providing materials for these makeshift subterranean classrooms.
The existence of these bunker schools stands as a stark testament to the brutal reality of Russia's invasion and the unbreakable spirit of Ukrainian civilians determined to preserve their children's future, one underground lesson at a time.
