In Ukraine, where Russia's military invasion continues, the new school year begins on the 1st, and face-to-face classes have resumed on the condition that the school has an underground shelter.

However, there is no prospect of reopening in areas where fighting has been intense or in schools where school buildings have been destroyed.

In Ukraine, the new school year began on the 1st, and some schools resumed face-to-face classes for the first time since Russia's military invasion in February this year.

Among them, at a school in Irpin near the capital Kyiv, which was once invaded by the Russian army and fiercely fought, progress was made in repairing the damaged school building, and about 60 new students and their parents attended. The entrance ceremony was held.

At the ceremony, representatives of new students and current students rang the bell, which was once used to signal the start of classes, and rejoiced in reuniting with friends.



However, in order to resume face-to-face classes, it is necessary to prepare an underground shelter where children can evacuate in the event of an air defense warning on the school grounds or within a 10-minute walk. .

According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, of the approximately 3.9 million children and students attending school, only 2.7 million and 70% can attend face-to-face classes, including combined use of online classes. The remaining 30%, or 1.2 million people, will only take online classes.


A 16-year-old girl student said, "My school was damaged, but I'm looking forward to getting together with my classmates again."

On the other hand, at another school where the school building was severely damaged and there was no prospect of resuming face-to-face classes, some children and parents visited to greet the teacher in charge for the new school year.


A mother of an 8-year-old boy said, ``There are many parents who work together, and I'm worried about leaving only my child at home to take online classes when an air defense warning is issued.''

Nearly 60% of Ukrainian schools have 'shelter' conditions for reopening

According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as of August 31, nearly 60% of schools in the country meet this requirement.

In these schools, face-to-face classes can be used entirely or in combination with online classes.

Nearly 80% of public schools in Kyiv have underground shelters.

One of them was equipped with desks and chairs, drinking water, emergency food, and beds for first-aid so that classes could continue even when an air defense warning was issued.



The school is trying to alleviate the children's anxiety by decorating the shelter with animal characters and placing stuffed animals and dolls.

Putin Justifies Military Invasion To Students In Special Class

Meanwhile, Russian President Vladimir Putin held a special class in Kaliningrad, an enclave in western Russia, on the first day of the new school year.



Students from all over Russia as well as students from Donetsk province in eastern Ukraine gathered for the class, and President Putin said, "Before the establishment of the Soviet Union, Ukraine had never had its own national system." He unilaterally claimed that the eastern part was once an important Russian territory.



“Today, everyone thinks that the invasion is coming from Russia. We have justified our previous military invasions.



In addition, Russian media reported that about 36,000 teachers dispatched from Russia began classes on the 1st in many schools in the controlled areas of eastern and southern Ukraine, raising the Russian flag to welcome the new school year. I was.



In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky posted on social media, "Russia tried to steal our history, culture, and knowledge, but failed. We will learn and become stronger." Posture emphasized.