Ukraine’s digital learning centers help children catch up on classes

May 30, 2024 by UNICEF Ukraine |

2 minutes read

A catch-up class program funded by GPE has helped thousands of students in Ukraine to catch up on their education. Twin brothers Mykhailo and Oleksii, who were forced to flee their home, are some of them.

This story was first published on UNICEF's website.

As a result of the ongoing violence in Ukraine, twin brothers Mykhailo and Oleksii have struggled to stay focused on their studies.

Not only did the 9-year-olds lose their home after being forced to flee the shelling in the Dnipropetrovsk region. But, last year, fourth grade began in a brand new school, with their teachers and classmates only visible through a laptop screen.

"As internally displaced people, we had to adapt to a new place, as all our friends were left behind,” says Nataliia, the boys’ mother.

“The boys found it difficult to study at a distance without communication with other children. We faced challenges both with maths and the Ukrainian language, not even mentioning English. I noticed that it became increasingly difficult for them to understand tasks or to do long division.”

Nataliia, the boys’ mother

Now, however, Mykhailo and Oleksii are finding their way once more. They have been regularly visiting a Digital Learning Center (DLC), run by UNICEF in the Kharkivska region.

Since then, they have been able to improve their knowledge of maths and the Ukrainian language, and communicate with their peers.

"We love reading fairy tales and rhymes. And also solving equations - our teacher Maryna explains everything in an interesting way."

Oleksii

Maryna, a teacher at the DLC in Bohodukhiv, is overjoyed to see the twins’ progress.

"When they first came to my Ukrainian language lessons, the gaps were very noticeable. The boys confused parts of their speech. Even though both boys are very active and energetic, they also are hardworking and considerate of others. I love witnessing how they already help other children in their group.”

Maryna, teacher at the DLC in Bohodukhiv

Thanks to funding from GPE, the UNICEF catch-up project in partnership with the SpivDiya Charitable Foundation has helped nearly 17,754 students catch up on their education.

Most of the classes are held in cities where schools only operate in an online format, making this project the only opportunity for local children to learn in person.

Classes currently run in the Volynska, Dnipropetrovsk, Zhytomyrska, Zakarpatska, Kirovohradska, Kyivska, Lvivska, Poltavska, Odeska, Mykolaivska, Sumska, Kharkivska, Khmelnytska, Cherkaska, Chernivetska and Chernihivka regions.

Focus areas: Education in crisis situations

Regions and countries: Europe and Central Asia: Ukraine

Related blogs