In the Odesa region, officials are prepared to change the format of school instruction due to threats

The new school year in the Odesa region is planned to begin primarily in in-person and hybrid formats; however, due to the security situation, schools may quickly switch to remote learning. 

As Oleksandr Lonchak, director of the Odesa Regional State Administration’s Department of Education and Science, explained in a comment to Intent, more than 222,000 students are expected in Odesa region schools this year, including 15,730 first-graders. For them, the school year is set to begin on September 1.

To ensure safe learning in the region, 1,408 civil defense facilities have been prepared, which can accommodate more than 316,000 participants in the educational process. Another 196 schools are ready to hold classes directly in shelters—this format is designed to accommodate more than 31,700 children.

In Odesa, 67 schools can organize classes in shelters for more than 13,600 students. Since it is impossible to accommodate all children there at the same time, this format is primarily planned for students in grades 1–4 and graduating classes.

The region already has experience with an underground school. In Molodizhne, it has been operating for two years and currently serves 780 children.

Educators are also preparing for a possible deterioration in the security situation. In such a case, the format of instruction can be changed quickly—individual schools or entire districts may switch to distance learning.

According to Yulia Filler, director of the Department of Education and Science of the Odesa City Council, there are currently just over 83,000 children registered in the city. The department is considering various learning options, including holding classes for specific grades or sections in shelters.

As previously reported by Intent, in Mykolaiv, due to an increase in rocket attacks, officials are consideringchanginghow the educational process is organized in schools. Among the possible changes are holding classes in two shifts in shelters and starting classes at 7:30 a.m.

Ірина Глухова