Ukraine is set to open 25,000 schools on September 1, as announced by Prime Minister Serhii Koretskyi, amidst the ongoing conflict with Russia. This initiative aims to ensure that over 83% of students have access to safe shelters while also implementing a 20% salary increase for teachers.
In a detailed report presented ahead of the new academic year, Koretskyi outlined safety measures for educational institutions, including provisions for meals, shelter accessibility, and salary adjustments for educational staff. Local authorities have been instructed to avoid mass gatherings in areas deemed at high risk of Russian attacks.
Enhanced Shelter Access
According to Koretskyi, school assemblies and ceremonial events will only occur where local security conditions allow, taking into account the capacity of shelters and the ability to reach them quickly during air raids. Currently, more than 82% of preschool children and 83% of school students have access to shelters across the country, encompassing over 9,000 preschools and 11,000 secondary schools.
In addition, Ukraine is constructing 131 new state-funded shelters, including 18 underground kindergartens, with the goal of increasing shelter access to 87% by the end of 2027.
Adapting Education Formats
Educational formats will be adapted based on local security conditions, particularly in frontline areas. In regions such as Odesa, Chernihiv, and Mykolaiv, schools equipped with basic shelters can offer hybrid learning to approximately 80% of preschool children and students. However, in the Kharkiv region, where security risks are heightened, hybrid learning is limited to underground schools, reaching only about 30% of students.
Despite the challenges, Kyiv has managed to provide shelter access for 91% of preschool children and students, with 528 kindergartens and 435 schools equipped with shelters.
Textbook Availability and Meal Provision
Addressing the issue of educational materials, Koretskyi noted that Russia has targeted printing facilities and textbook warehouses. In response, students will be provided with electronic versions of textbooks where physical copies are unavailable. Ensuring adequate meals for children remains a priority, with schools required to offer ready-to-eat meals if full meals cannot be organized due to security constraints.
Teacher Salary Increases
Effective September 1, teachers’ salaries will increase by an additional 20%, following a 30% raise earlier this year. This increase applies to the base salaries of teaching staff, which serve as the foundation for additional payments and allowances. In frontline areas, teachers conducting in-person classes will receive an extra payment of Hr. 2,600 ($58).
Koretskyi also announced a shift away from the Unified Tariff Scale for public-sector pay, moving towards a model that ties base salaries to educators’ positions and Ukraine’s average wage.
