Ministry of Education and UNICEF launch Back to Learning Together initiative to support children in new school year [EN/UK] – Ukraine

KYIV, August 22, 2022 – A joint initiative between the Ukrainian Ministry of Education and Science and UNICEF, with the support of the First Lady, has been launched to promote children’s education amid restrictions and challenges imposed by the war.

Back to Learning Together aims to protect every child’s right to pursue an education, even in times of conflict. The program uses three means to provide learning opportunities for children – in the classroom where it is deemed safe, remotely via online methods, and interacting with other children at the community level. The first phase will support the 2022/2023 academic year, which resumes on September 1.

“A return to learning next month will offer Ukrainian children not only the chance to continue their education, but also a vital sense of normalcy in these turbulent times.said Murat Sahin, UNICEF Representative. “Whichever way a parent chooses to learn, their child’s physical and mental well-being will be supported in a nurturing environment.”

Back to Learning Together has three main components:

1. provide children and teachers with the tools and materials they need to access quality, safe and child-centred education;
2. creating a safe learning environment by rehabilitating schools and school bomb shelters;
3. strengthen the resilience of children and their families, helping them cope with adversity and improving their well-being.

UNICEF is working on a national campaign in support of the Ministry of Education and Science to provide 1,000 central schools across the country with school supplies for more than 450,000 children. Schools will also receive shelter kits including blankets, torches, first aid kits and hygiene kits.

To support online learning, UNICEF and partners will provide materials to support educators in remote learning. This will be complemented by webinars and online psychosocial support tools for teachers, children and parents. Over 5,000 laptops were provided to teachers in affected areas over the summer to facilitate online learning.

Safety instructions, lessons and work materials on explosives, recommendations on mental health and well-being, as well as materials on nutrition, hygiene, vaccination for teachers and caregivers can be downloaded from https://osvitanow.org/.

UNICEF also works with communities to promote socialization and learning. Volunteers are initially mobilized in 200 communities, reaching 60,000 children. Three thousand young volunteers are trained to support children in life skills and social-emotional learning opportunities.

The campaign will be implemented in close cooperation with partners such as Osvitoria, Teach for Ukraine, Zakarpattia Cultural Platform, Institute of Creative Innovations, Portal for Continuous Learning, Volunteer Association SpivDiya, the charitable fund “Club Dobrodiyiv” and others.

Media contacts
Nina Sorokopud
Communications Manager
UNICEF in Ukraine
Email: [email protected]