Three years ago, the lives of children in Ukraine were changed forever. Children have lost loved ones, been separated from their families, and forced to flee across borders. Many of those remaining in Ukraine are displaced, living in constant fear as they endure relentless bombing and blackouts, and are in urgent need of humanitarian assistance.
Children have seen their homes, playgrounds and schools bombed. Over 3,790 educational facilities have been attacked – including 365 schools that have been destroyed completely.
The war has disrupted the education of around 4 million children – the vast majority of school students across the country. About 600,000 students are now learning remotely, unable to meet their friends and teachers in person due to the risk of attacks.
Educators and their unions are going to extraordinary lengths to keep learning alive. The NEU is proud to have provided significant solidarity and funds to our sister union, the Trade Union of Science and Education Workers of Ukraine (TUESWU), including finance to support the building of a children’ summer camp, with an emergency shelter to protect camp users against air strikes and ensure they can continue to learn and work in safety.
The NEU will continue to stand with our TUESWU colleagues in their fight to defend Ukraine’s education system and in their struggle for peace, security and self-determination. The people of Ukraine have a right to a future free of violence and war.