51% of Kyiv schoolchildren have returned to in-person learning

In Kyiv, the number of children returning to in-person learning is gradually increasing. During the second week of the school year, the percentage of students attending school in person rose from 45% to 51%. This was reported by Valentin Mondriyevskyi, deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration. According to him, at the start of the school year, 11 Kyiv schools were operating exclusively remotely. Now, only five such schools remain. “The second week of school in Kyiv shows an increase in the number of children attending in-person classes. While 45% of students were attending in person last week, this figure rose to 51% this week,” Mondriyevskyi said.

One of the reasons for this shift was the conversion of school shelters. In some schools, these shelters were retrofitted so that during air raid alerts, children could not only take refuge there but also continue their studies. Separate work areas are being set up in these shelters. Desks and blackboards are being installed, lighting is being added, and stable Wi-Fi access is being provided.

How Schools Operate During an Alert

The format of instruction depends on the security situation and the capabilities of the specific school. If an air raid alert is declared in Kyiv due to the threat of a drone attack, students and school staff move to the shelter. If the shelter is large enough and equipped for classes, lessons can continue right there. Children don’t waste time simply waiting but can continue learning with their teachers.

At the same time, not all shelters have enough space or the appropriate conditions for this. In such cases, students remain there until the air raid alert ends, and after the all-clear is given, they return to their studies. This approach allows schools to conduct more in-person classes without compromising safety requirements. “To a large extent, this has been made possible by converting shelters into zoned learning spaces,” noted the deputy head of the Kyiv City State Administration.

The format of instruction may change

At the same time, the Kyiv City State Administration emphasizes that the current learning model is not set in stone. Depending on the security situation, schools may adjust the format of classes. School administrations regularly assess the situation and monitor risks. If conditions change, schools may switch from in-person to remote learning or opt for a blended format.

This means that even after children return to the classroom, learning will not necessarily take place in person all the time. The format may change depending on the situation in the city and the capabilities of a specific school. “The model of education in wartime is flexible,” Mondriyevsky said. If necessary, schools can combine in-person classes with remote learning. At the same time, the safety of students and staff remains the top priority.

Consequently, during the first two weeks of the school year in Kyiv, there has already been a noticeable trend toward an increase in the number of students returning to their desks. The percentage of children attending in-person classes has increased by 6 percentage points, while the number of schools operating entirely online has more than halved—from 11 to five. This information was reported by the Kyiv City State Administration.