Thousands of Ukrainian Children Flee to Underground Learning Centers

Kharkiv’s Subway Schools Provide Safety Amid Ongoing Conflict

In Kharkiv, Ukraine’s second-largest city, located approximately 40 kilometers from the Russian border, a unique solution has been implemented to provide safety for students during the ongoing conflict. The city’s subway system, which serves as the primary transportation hub, has been repurposed to accommodate schools.

The Oleksandr Maselsky station on Kharkiv’s southeastern outskirts now houses a small “metroschool” with four cramped classrooms that cater to over 2,000 schoolchildren and preschoolers. The school operates seven days a week, providing a safe environment for students to learn and socialize.

According to Maksym Trystapshon, the school head teacher and English teacher, the safety of his students is paramount. “You don’t have to think about the war, it’s a safe place, and you only think about teaching children,” he stated.

Since 2022, more than 100 children and approximately 3,000 civilian adults have been killed in the Kharkiv region due to Russian artillery, multiple-launch rocket systems, drones, and missiles. In recent days, a Russian missile struck an apartment building, resulting in the loss of life.

The Kharkiv subway system has proven to be a safe haven for schools, with eight operating stations currently serving students. Additionally, 10 schools are located in basements and bunkers in the region, providing a safe environment for over 20,000 students.

Parents have been attracted to this solution, with some initially hesitant due to concerns about safety. However, the school’s reputation has proven irresistible, with a waiting list of parents eager to enroll their children.

The city’s education department has reported that the school’s safety has been a major factor in its success. “Kids don’t wait at bus stops” due to the risk of drone or missile attacks, according to Daria Kariuk-Vinohradova, a spokeswoman for the department.

The repurposing of the subway system as schools is a testament to the city’s efforts to provide safety and education during times of conflict.

Source: Al Jazeera