Life Continues Despite the War: How Children Returned to Learning in Chernihiv Region

For more than 30 days, it endured active fighting and life under occupation. It was liberated in early April, but the scars of war remained.

At the local gymnasium, shells that landed nearby shattered the windows and damaged the sports hall. Because of the destruction and the constant danger of repeated attacks, children had to switch to online learning.

Later, with funding from the European Union, UNOPS repaired the gymnasium building, allowing the school to reopen its doors. However, another challenge remained: although the old basement provided shelter during air raid alerts, it was not suitable for prolonged stays.

To restore comfort and safety for children, UNOPS later fully renovated and equipped the basement. It now has everything needed to ensure the uninterrupted continuation of learning.

The renovation was completed in mid-May 2026, allowing students to finish the school year in person.

“I’m glad we now have a shelter. We’ve already gotten used to it: whenever the air raid siren sounds, we immediately go downstairs and continue our lesson there. Every class knows where to go, so everything happens very quickly,” says Illia, an eighth-grade student at the gymnasium.

Even now, during the summer holidays, children come to school for additional subject consultations, and they sometimes have to go down to the shelter, as air raid alerts are frequent in the region.

“After the ninth grade, I plan to enroll in college. I understand how important it is to attend school now so I can prepare better. Sometimes a lot of drones fly over our village, but when I’m at school, I know I’m safe in the shelter. And it gives my parents peace of mind too,” says Sofiia, a ninth-grade student.

For the gymnasium, the renovated shelter became much more than a technical solution. It made it possible for the school to remain a school—a place where friends come together, where life goes on, and where learning never stops.

About the project

The Schools Repairs in Ukraine project, funded by the European Union and implemented by UNOPS, aims to repair educational facilities that have been damaged during the ongoing war in Ukraine. This $30 million initiative is being implemented in the regions of Chernihiv, Kyiv, Sumy and Kharkiv, focusing on schools requiring light to medium repair work.

The primary objective of the project is to provide access to repaired school facilities, which will increase the proportion of children receiving face-to-face education. By rehabilitating more than 70 schools, the project will help restore facilities to a safe and welcoming environment where children can continue their education without interruption.