Ukraine’s Digital Learning Centres help children catch up on classes

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 Dnipropertrovska 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.”

Now, however, Mykhailo and Oleksii are finding their way once more. They have been regularly visiting a Digital Learning Center (DLC), run by the United Nations Children’s Fund (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,” says Oleksii, happily. “And also solving equations — our teacher Maryna explains everything in an interesting way."

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,” she recalls. “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.”

Thanks to funding from the Global Partnership for Education (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, Dnipropetrovska, Zhytomyrska, Zakarpatska, Kirovohradska, Kyivska, Lvivska, Poltavska, Odeska, Mykolaivska, Sumska, Kharkivska, Khmelnytska, Cherkaska, Chernivetska and Chernihivka regions.