Students returned to schools her Ukraine On Monday for the start of the new school year, in the hope of being able to take lessons safely, despite its invasion Russia. Since the start of the war in February 2022, schools have found various ways to continue classes, according to the Associated Press.
At Bobryk, a village in the northern Sumi area – not far from the front – a school transferred all its classrooms to a basement so that students, whose education had already been influenced by restrictive measures for Covid, can attend life lessons. “We have to do everything in order not to lose this generation,” said Director Oleksii Korenivskyi. “Time is the only thing you can’t make. This is our future generation and we must give it what we have. “
The school was transferred underground two years ago, when sirens for air raids sometimes lasted up to 20 hours, paralyzing the lessons. The only option was to find refuge and, while hiding from possible explosions, to continue to study.
Now, in the basement of a building that was never intended to become a school, the classrooms are in a narrow space. There are no windows or doors. During the courses, children’s voices are mixed in a choir.
On Monday, many kids came wearing embroidered traditional shirts. Teachers’ offices were full of fresh flowers that their children brought as a traditional gift for the start of the year.
“Unfortunately, this ‘neighbor’ is going to go anywhere,” Oleksii said, referring to Russia, when he described how much he had to do to achieve this and how it was worth it.
The once wet and dark basement was renovated with ventilation, electricity and new flooring, and this is only an example of the way Ukrandians adapt to continue their lives, without ending ending Russia’s harsh attack.
Bobryk, with a population of about 2,000 inhabitants, has a small school with ranks of about 10 children each. This year, only seven children were in the first grade room.
During the first lesson, the teacher opened a book with a map of Ukraine. The map showed the whole country, with no signs of occupied territories. He pointed to the north, in the Sumi area, where Bobryk is located. “Our region is next to Russia,” he said. “That’s why it’s so difficult, that’s why they bomb us so often – because we’re close to this difficult neighbor.”
The school today has a little more than 100 students, although about 10% has left since Russia began its complete invasion, and others continue to leave. For such a small school, every loss is noticeable.
Among those preparing to leave is 15 -year -old Vlada Mykhailyk, who will soon move to Austria with her 11 -year -old brother. Their mother has decided that the conditions have become very dangerous. “We live well, but sometimes it’s sad. We often hear shahads (drones) and explosions, “Vlada said. Taking lessons in the basements has become a routine, he added. She admitted that she was reluctant to leave the city and would prefer to finish school with her friends.
In one of the ranks of younger students, war was not the first topic of debate. When the teacher asked the students what they were doing this summer, the answers were refreshing normal – bike rides, parents’ help, moments with new friends. Then, a small voice from the third grade added: “A drone shahad was intercepted over our heads and there were fragments.” “All this is because of the war,” the teacher replied with a gentle voice, according to AP. Because the basement is small, the school operates in two shifts, with short breaks.
The original school building – a beautiful building of the early 20th century – is now empty, with spacious classrooms waiting for students to return when the security situation improves.
Source :Skai
With a wealth of experience honed over 4+ years in journalism, I bring a seasoned voice to the world of news. Currently, I work as a freelance writer and editor, always seeking new opportunities to tell compelling stories in the field of world news.
