Today, education in Ukraine during war looks vastly different from what people are used to: bomb shelters become classrooms, and Wi-Fi signals replace school bells. In the midst of this unconventional learning space, a powerful movement is taking root—one where online schools in Ukraine are offering not just knowledge, but stability, resilience, and hope.
At the forefront of this movement is Svitlo School, a charity-based online education initiative that is reimagining what education can be in times of crisis.
Since the full-scale Russian invasion in 2022, Ukraine’s education system has endured relentless disruption, with over 3,500 educational institutions having been damaged or destroyed. In many regions, daily air raid alerts force students to shelter mid-lesson. Kids are taught about different weapons that they may encounter during lessons; a necessity in their education which is not seen outside of normal circumstances. Others are displaced entirely—studying from temporary homes, foreign countries, or with no access to formal education at all.
Still, the answer to the question “Are schools open in Ukraine?” remains: yes, in new and evolving ways.
Svitlo School has championed a movement for new and innovative ways for students to still have access to education. Its online model provides access to structured, Ukrainian-language education for children from all regions of Ukraine. Teachers continue to adapt lessons in real time, often under extraordinary stress. And through it all, students persist—hungry to learn, connect, and find meaning amid the chaos.
With so many physical schools inaccessible or unsafe, online education in Ukraine during the war has become a vital tool for continuity. Digital classrooms offer a flexible, scalable, and secure alternative for students who cannot attend in-person lessons. But this shift is about more than just logistics—it’s about rebuilding structure in young lives shaken by war. Svitlo’s online school offers stability in the time of upheaval and social connection for those who are isolated and displaced from the war. Moreover, a continuity of curriculum that Svitlo School ensures students stay on track academically through structured lessons in Ukrainian language, math, science, and history. Weekly mental health sessions and mindfulness practices are also provided which help children manage anxiety and rebuild a sense of connection with their peers.
This is where charitable initiatives like Svitlo School play a crucial role in affected students’ lives and their families.
Svitlo (meaning "light" in Ukrainian) is more than a school—it’s a lifeline and a core solution to this issue. As a charity-driven online education program, Svitlo provides free, full-time schooling for Ukrainian children affected by the war, including those in occupied territories, internally displaced, or living abroad.
With a team of dedicated teachers, Svitlo delivers far more than standard lessons. Its two core programs paired with creative and holistic curriculums are tailored to boost students’ strengths. Furthermore, the model’s community-based learning method combats loneliness and disconnection amongst students and focuses on resilience, identity, and emotional well-being.
Each academic term, roughly 300 children attend Svitlo School. Many have fled war zones or faced repeated disruptions in their schooling, but at Svitlo, they find consistency, routine, and a community that cares.
Education should not be a luxury in wartime, but rather a necessity. For Ukraine’s children, it’s the path toward healing, agency, and a future rebuilt with knowledge and compassion.
Online schools like Svitlo prove that even when classrooms are destroyed, learning doesn’t have to stop. With the right tools and support, education in Ukraine during war can still thrive—and children can still dream, grow, and imagine a better tomorrow.
Svitlo’s mission depends on generous donors and partners who believe in the power of education to change lives. In Ukraine today, every lesson is a quiet act of defiance.
Donate now; every contribution goes towards supporting these students and allowing Svitlo’s initiative to continue in the foreseeable future.
