disaster
A Bittersweet Milestone: Children from Ukraine reflect on how war affected their education as they prepare to graduate
By Save the Children at ReliefWeb
· June 10, 2026
· 6 min read
. KYIV, 10 June 2026 – From classrooms reduced to rubble to hours spent studying underground, children graduating from high school in Ukraine reflect on how four years of war has transformed their education since first grade in a series of photos released today by Save the Children. As many children
Key takeaway In one photo, Nelia*, 16, holds up a picture of her younger self with a classmate as she sits in front of her damaged and shuttered school.
Why this matters
The experiences of Nelia, Artem, and Halyna underscore the long-term impact of conflict on education, as thousands of students in Ukraine prepare to graduate amidst the ongoing war. The fact that about one-third of schools in Ukraine operate either fully online or through a hybrid model highlights the adaptability of the education system, but also raises concerns about the quality of education and the potential for learning gaps. The support from organizations like Save the Children has been crucial in providing alternative learning spaces, such as the renovated basement of a local council building, where students can continue their education. As these students move forward to university entrance exams and beyond, it will be essential to monitor the effects of disrupted education on their future prospects and the overall development of Ukraine's next generation. The Ukrainian Government's Institute of Educational Analytics will likely play a key role in tracking these outcomes and informing education policy in the post-conflict period.
About this story
Original reporting by ReliefWeb . Christgiving surfaces reporting from trusted publishers and adds local editorial context so readers can quickly understand what a story means for their community. We attribute every source, link to the original report, and follow a documented editorial standards policy. To understand how stories are selected and reviewed, read our about page .
For the complete original report, visit ReliefWeb . Have a tip or correction? Contact our newsroom .
Category: disaster ·
Published: June 10, 2026 ·
Source: ReliefWeb ·
Reading time: 6 min
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Frequently asked about this story
What is this story about? . KYIV, 10 June 2026 – From classrooms reduced to rubble to hours spent studying underground, children graduating from high school in Ukraine reflect on how four years of war has transformed their education since first grade in a series of photos released today by Save the Children. As many children
When was this published? This article was first published on June 10, 2026 by ReliefWeb and curated for Christgiving readers.
Who reported this story? This story was reported by Save the Children at ReliefWeb. To learn more about how Christgiving selects and reviews stories, see our editorial standards .
Where can I find related coverage? See more disaster coverage from Christgiving, or browse our daily briefing and topic hubs .