The Ministry of Education and Science has called on universities to prepare for prolonged air raid alerts
Due to regular air raid alerts and Russian attacks, the Ministry of Education and Science has issued a reminder to Ukrainian universities regarding the rules for operating during wartime.
The Ministry emphasized that higher education institutions must take proactive measures to ensure the safety of everyone involved in the educational process while ensuring that students’ studies are not disrupted.
Why Education Cannot Depend on a Single Scenario
An expert noted that the educational process during wartime “cannot depend on a single scenario.”
Trofimenko explained that “the security situation is changing rapidly.”
Therefore, he said, universities must “adapt their teaching just as quickly.”
What all universities need to do in advance
The deputy minister stated that every institution of higher education must establish in advance a clear protocol for operating under various security conditions:
when classes are held in person;
when some classes switch to a remote format;
what to do (who should do what and how) during prolonged air raid alerts, power outages, or communication disruptions;
how everyone returns to their regular schedule.
“Those involved in the educational process must be familiar with these rules before a crisis situation arises,” the official emphasized.
What Is Important for Remote Learning
According to Trofimenko, the remote learning format “must also be a ready-made system,” rather than “a solution that people start putting together after yet another prolonged emergency.”
He clarified that it is important to think through and prepare in advance all aspects and elements necessary for learning in this format:
workspaces for teachers;
access to electricity and the internet;
a university digital platform;
a remote class schedule;
instructional materials;
primary and backup communication channels.
“Over the years of the pandemic and the war, all higher education institutions have developed appropriate solutions. Now is the time to ensure they are operational and, if necessary, to improve them,” noted a representative of the Ministry of Education and Science.
How universities can operate during air raid alerts
“A separate note on air raid alerts. Safety always takes priority,” emphasized Trofimenko.
Therefore, if a professor or students need to take shelter, “the live class is paused for the duration of the evacuation.”
If, after that, part of the group is unable to return to the class due to communication issues, power outages, or conditions in the shelter, students should be provided with:
materials for asynchronous work;
access to a recording or other instructional materials;
the opportunity to consult with the instructor.
How the educational system model should change
“It is especially important for universities to be flexible in handling the various components of the educational program,” Trofimenko noted.
He explained that lab sessions, practical exercises, and work with specialized equipment require in-person attendance. Therefore, they should be scheduled:
either during periods when the security situation allows it;
or directly in shelters.
Meanwhile, consultations, independent study, or project work can be organized:
either remotely;
or asynchronously.
“Lecture planning must be flexible enough to ensure that students master the necessary material in a safe environment and that the instructor maintains a connection with the audience,” the official added.
This approach, he said, “allows the curriculum to remain intact, even when the usual schedule has to be constantly adjusted.”
“It is precisely this differentiation of classes based on the need for in-person interaction, equipment, or opportunities for independent work that should be incorporated into the educational process model,” Trofimenko emphasized.
What Should Be the Basic Guidelines for Each University
The Deputy Minister of Education and Science noted that “another very important aspect is communication.”
“A student shouldn’t have to look for the schedule in one chat, class announcements in another, and assignments in a third. The university needs a clear digital entry point and a backup channel in case of technical issues,” the expert explained.
In addition, after prolonged changes to the format, it is important to:
assess what has been successfully completed according to the curriculum;
assess which practical assignments or topics require additional time;
adjust the schedule for the coming weeks of instruction.
In other words, the educational process “must remain manageable” even “when external circumstances are not.”
Finally, Trofimenko noted that “university autonomy gives institutions enough leeway to find solutions tailored to their own circumstances.”
“But the responsibility here also lies with the institution: the safety of people, minimizing educational losses, clear rules for students and faculty, and maintaining the quality of education must remain the fundamental guiding principles,” the Ministry of Education and Science representative concluded.
This was reported with reference to a Facebook post by Mykola Trofimenko, Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Education and Science for Higher Education.
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