Kharkiv has launched a new underground school, allowing children to study in person despite ongoing security threats caused by Russia’s war against Ukraine.
The school officially began operating on January 20 in the Kholodnohirskyi district, the Kharkiv City Council reported.
First Phase Now Operational
During the opening ceremony, Kharkiv Mayor Ihor Terekhov emphasized that access to in-person education in safe conditions remains a top priority for the city.
The first phase of the underground school includes:
- 9 fully equipped classrooms;
- capacity for around 1,000 students, studying in two shifts.
Once construction of the second phase is completed, the facility will offer:
- 17 classrooms;
- a resource room for children with special educational needs;
- mixed-format education for up to 2,000 students.
Construction of the second phase is currently underway.
“Education Is About the Future We Are Defending”
Mayor Terekhov highlighted the emotional significance of the project:
“I saw the bright eyes of children. For some of them, this was their first time attending a real school. For their sake, we will continue building underground educational spaces in every district of Kharkiv,” he said.
He also announced plans to launch Ukraine’s first underground kindergarten in 2026, marking a new step in protecting early childhood education during wartime.
Strong International Support
The underground school has been equipped with modern educational infrastructure thanks to international partners, including:
- GIZ (German Society for International Cooperation), with support from Germany’s Federal Ministry for Economic Cooperation and Development (BMZ);
- the “Strong Community” project implemented by Helvetas Swiss Intercooperation with funding from Swiss Solidarity;
- the Czech humanitarian organization People in Need, supported by Switzerland through the Swiss Agency for Development and Cooperation.
A Symbol of Urban Resilience
Kharkiv’s underground schools represent more than a safety measure. They symbolize the city’s resilience, determination, and commitment to protecting children’s right to education, even amid daily missile and drone threats.
By investing in secure learning environments, Kharkiv continues to adapt its urban infrastructure to wartime realities while safeguarding the future of its youngest residents.
