School year begins in 412 Kyiv schools, nearly 94% of first-graders attend – KCSA

On the first day of the school year in Kyiv, an air raid alert abruptly interrupted festivities. The city had recently endured Russian missile strikes overnight, yet parents and children, dressed in festive attire, gathered at Lyceum Obolon in the Obolon district. Their plans for a joyful start to the academic year were abruptly halted as sirens signaled an immediate threat.

The children's laughter and music quickly dissolved into distant explosions, prompting everyone to disperse. This marked the beginning of a sixth school year for Ukrainian students, with the conflict showing no signs of conclusion. Many schools have since transitioned to remote or hybrid learning, some operating from shelters or ceasing operations in either destroyed or occupied areas.

Russian attacks have decimated an estimated one million textbooks, prompting officials to prepare for a particularly challenging winter. The ongoing war is exacting a heavy toll on Ukrainians, with Russia intensifying its assaults. Kyiv's air defenses struggle to counter the increasing onslaught of high-speed ballistic missiles, compounded by waves of Shahed drones that can extend attacks over multiple days.

Despite these challenges, school principal Yevhen Poliakov chose to proceed with the ceremony, confident that the children could swiftly reach safety. The Lyceum Obolon is equipped with a shelter, allowing Poliakov to maintain in-person classes. However, he acknowledges the drawbacks of remote learning, emphasizing the necessity of supervision. With Ukraine's education system divided, schools are adapting to a blend of in-person and remote education based on the prevailing security situation.