1267 Odesa educational institutions start the academic year in the presence of shelters – Department of Education and Science of Odesa Regional Military Administration

On 1 September, a new academic year will begin in Odesa Oblast, which will again be held under martial law. Oleksandr Lonchak, Director of the Department of Education and Science of the Odesa Regional Military Administration, told about the changes in educational institutions at a briefing at the Media Centre Ukraine – Odesa.

21,667 children will enter the first grade, including more than 6,800 IDPs. The number of educational institutions that have their own shelter or use a shelter located nearby has increased by 325 units and amounts to 1,267 institutions. These include:

– 564 preschool education institutions; 

– 635 general secondary education institutions; 

– 24 vocational education institutions; 

– 28 institutions of vocational pre-university education;

– 16 higher education institutions.

Lonchak also emphasised that despite the hostilities, educational institutions received funding for repairs

“By the beginning of the new academic year, construction works have been carried out or are underway at 220 facilities of general education institutions in the region for a total amount of over UAH 777 million. As of 30 August this year, the construction of shelters in 116 educational institutions has been completed. Some are still undergoing construction and overhaul. The relevant work is scheduled to be completed by the end of the calendar year. In particular, 10 general secondary education institutions in the region have had their shelters repaired at the expense of the international charitable organisations UNICEF and the DESIDE project. Police call buttons have been installed in 1200 educational institutions, and video surveillance systems have been installed in another 1000 institutions.”

The director added that according to the survey, 70% of parents chose the full-time format of education. Currently, 555 general secondary education institutions are planning to start teaching in a full-time format. Another 52 will be in a mixed format, combining on-site and distance learning. In addition, 475 preschool education institutions will operate on a full-time basis. Vocational, pre-university, and higher education institutions plan to organise practical and laboratory classes directly at the institution, while the theoretical part will combine face-to-face and distance learning. At the same time, 13 institutions are switching to full-time operation. 

One of the main problems is the shortage of teachers, particularly in science and mathematics. However, this is partly being addressed by new specialists, 227 of whom start work on 1 September.

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