"Anxious schoolchildren mark completion of academic year amid prolongation of conflict in Ukraine"

In a country gripped by conflict, parents like Maria Baranovska find solace and worry in equal measure as their children begin to take their first steps into adulthood. Baranovska's son, Vladyslav, recently completed his schooling despite interruptions from the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's invasion. Yet, she remains concerned about his future in a war-torn nation, where peace talks and diplomatic efforts have failed to cease daily bombardments.

Ukraine's class of 2025, like those who have graduated over the past three years, are forced to grapple with the harsh realities of living in a country at war. Despite diplomatic attempts to halt hostilities, there is no sign that Moscow intends to abandon its invasion.

"As every mother, I worry about my child's future," says 42-year-old Baranovska, a former border guard herself. "At school, he was somewhat protected in the event of attacks, but adult life can be more challenging."

Thestringent martial law on Ukraine disallows Vladyslav from leaving the country when he turns 18. Before reaching that milestone, Baranovska offered her son an opportunity to travel abroad, but he chose to remain in his homeland.

On a hopeful note, Vladyslav took part in his school's "Last Bell" ceremony, a yearly tradition symbolizing the end of the academic year. The event, filled with the sounds of boys in suits and girls in white dresses waltzing in the courtyard, signaled a moment of respite amid the turmoil.

Schools nationwide remain under a constant threat of Russian attacks, but Principal Olga Tymoshenko expressed gratitude that the graduation ceremony concluded without any air raid sirens.

Children in Ukraine have adapted quickly to the relentless challenges and ongoing bombings, learning safety measures that help them survive in this uncertain environment. Tymoshenko stresses that when the alarm sounds, the children "know their places, adapting to everything very quickly."

Although air raid sirens interrupted about one in every five lessons, the UN reports that more than 1,600 schools were damaged or destroyed in the first three years of the war, which started in February 2022. In frontline regions, schools have relocated underground for better protection from incoming shells and drone attacks.

Looking to the future, Vladyslav has a message for his peers on the other side of the border. "Please stop this war at any cost," he appeals. "It will be better for you and for the whole world."

[1] Save the Children, 'Education in War Zones: The Impact of Conflict on Children's Rights to Learn', https://www.savethechildren.org/atf/cf/%7B65B9F99B-6D27-4E9C-802E-4F407FB58ABB%7D/Education%20in%20War%20Zones.pdf[2] UNICEF, 'Ukraine: Children Catching Up – Education in Emergencies', https://www.unicef.org/ukraine/children-catching-up-education-in-emergencies[3] Council of Europe, 'Communication on the Implementation of the Safe Schools Declaration in Ukraine', https://rm.coe.int/1680a9c50d[4] UNHCR, 'Ukraine: Escalating Conflict Forces Thousands More to Flee, a Quarter of Million Children Displaced', https://www.unhcr.org/ukraine-escalating-conflict-forces-thousands-more-to-flee-a-quarter-of-a-million-children-displaced.html[5] Amnesty International, 'Ukraine: Education Under Attack in Eastern Ukraine', https://www.amnesty.org/en/latest/news/2015/12/ukraine-education-under-attack-children-forced-from-school-due-shelling/

The ongoing war in Ukraine has led to an unprecedented disruption in education for many students, including those about to graduate, like Vladyslav Baranovska, who have endured classroom interruptions due to both the coronavirus pandemic and Russia's invasion.
Despite diplomatic efforts, Russia's continued aggression in Ukraine has cast a shadow over the future of the nation's youth, leaving parents like Maria Baranovska anxious about their children's prospects in a war-torn land.
Amid the daily bombardments and political tension, children in Ukraine have shown incredible resilience, adapting rapidly to safety measures and learning to cope with the constant threat of air raids while pursuing their education.