The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, with financial support from the Government of Germany and in partnership with the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, has analysed the state of the country's educational infrastructure and developed a concept for the reconstruction of Ukrainian schools.
The proposed improvements focus on the most relevant solutions during wartime, such as equipping shelters and evacuation exits, providing heating during winter, implementing universal design, and adopting a gender-responsive approach.
The "New School" concept is comprehensive and includes several areas of modernization: school building renovations, reforming school meal systems, integrating safety and energy efficiency principles into spatial planning, as well as introducing updated approaches to educational and research processes, sports and leisure, and landscaping. All these improvements aim to create a safe and accessible educational environment where everyone feels comfortable.
Oksen Lisovyi, Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine, highlighted that many communities' schools have become hubs for uniting Ukrainians. Therefore, one of the "New School" concept's priorities is barrier-free access. "When children feel confident at school, they can enhance our country's creative, scientific, athletic, and technological capital. But school accessibility is not just about students. It's also about providing teachers with a decent and comfortable working space. It's about ensuring that students' family members, regardless of their health conditions, can freely visit their child's school," Lisovyi emphasized.
Martin Jäger, German Ambassador to Ukraine, stressed that making Ukrainian schools comfortable, safe, and energy-independent should become the norm for all educational institutions within a few years. "Supporting the reconstruction of Ukraine's schools is a key element of the national recovery strategy. These efforts now have a clear framework and a quality model to follow," Mr. Jäger explained.
Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, underscored the importance of adopting a gender-responsive approach in school design. "We are responding swiftly to today's challenges. One of these is rebuilding and modernizing educational institutions while eliminating barriers and stereotypes that impact children during their schooltime. We are now convinced that there are no 'male' or 'female' professions. If a student is passionate about a subject, our task is to do everything possible to ensure they can study it," Cilliers stated.
Background
According to the Third Rapid Damage and Needs Assessment (RDNA3), 13 percent of Ukraine's educational infrastructure has been damaged due to hostilities, including approximately 4,000 educational facilities.
The "New School" concept includes several time-critical improvements, such as the installation of arched metal detectors, armour plating, renovation of emergency exits, as well as providing each facility with well-equipped medical aid rooms. For the underground schools in frontline communities, the installation of powerful ventilation systems is a must. At the same time, energy-efficient solutions remain essential for all institutions.
Together with the Government of Germany, UNDP in Ukraine has embarked on restoring 11 war-affected Ukrainian schools in Kirovohrad, Lviv, Poltava, Khmelnytskyi, and Cherkasy oblasts.
