How many underground schools are there in Ukraine and are there any in other countries?

Full-fledged underground educational institutions, built from scratch and designed specifically for the educational process in the context of military operations, are a unique experience for Ukraine. Find out how many such schools are planned and whether there are similar examples in other countries

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The idea of underground schools in Ukraine emerged as a response to the constant shelling and air raids in the frontline regions. It allows children to return to full-time education while staying safe. How large the project has become and whether there are similar examples in other countries - we will find out below.

Underground schools in Ukraine

According to the Ministry of Education and Science (MES), 139 underground schools are under construction in Ukraine. All facilities are scheduled to be completed by 1 September 2025.

The state budget of Ukraine provides for the construction of such educational institutions:

- UAH 7.5 billion in 2024,

- UAH 11.2 billion in 2025.

Additional funding is allocated from local budgets, often on a co-financing basis.

Where underground schools are being built

Underground schools are being built in Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, Mykolaiv, Dnipro (Kryvyi Rih), Kherson, Chernihiv, and Sumy regions.

▪️ Kharkiv was the first city near the frontline to start underground education, first at metro stations and then in specially built schools: The first such school was opened in the spring of 2022, with a capacity of 900 children (two shifts), fully complies with the standards of a bomb shelter and has all life support systems. In January 2023, the second one was opened, where 750 children can study (up to 1000 after the second stage is completed).

▪️ There are plans to open 10 underground schools in Zaporizhzhia. The first such school, built in six months, has been operating since December 2022. It is located at a depth of 7 metres and includes 16 classrooms, a cafeteria and a recreation area. It can accommodate up to 1000 students in two shifts. The cost of construction and equipment is UAH 113 million.

▪️ In Kherson, construction of three underground schools has begun, and another has received funding.

▪️ In Kryvyi Rih, three such institutions are planned to be opened in 2023.

▪️ In Sumy region, the first underground school (Okhtyrka district) is already operating, designed for 295 people and built as a dual-purpose facility - it can also serve as a shelter for local residents. Two more underground schools are being built in the regional centre.

▪️ In Mykolaiv region, two underground schools have already been opened: in the Shevchenkivska community and in Mykolaiv itself. These are converted shelters adapted for educational spaces.

Thus, a large-scale programme is being implemented in the frontline and adjacent regions of Ukraine to provide safe conditions for children to study even under the constant threat of shelling.

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Are there underground schools in other countries?

Full-fledged underground educational institutions built from scratch and designed specifically for the educational process in the context of hostilities are a unique experience for Ukraine. However, there are a number of examples of underground and fortified spaces being used as temporary shelters for students around the world:

Israel

Here, many schools and kindergartens have special shelters (bomb shelters) due to the constant rocket threat, especially in the border areas. However, these are rather separate safe rooms or basements than full-fledged underground schools.

Countries with a high risk of natural disasters (USA, Japan)

In some regions of the United States (for example, in Tornado Alley), schools have underground bunkers or fortified premises to protect children and staff during natural disasters.

Also in Japan, where there is a threat of earthquakes and tsunamis, multifunctional shelters are often built near schools or on their premises. However, these are usually not separate underground educational facilities, but rather a complex of protective structures.

Military conflicts in other countries

In war zones (for example, in Syria), there have been attempts to organise the educational process in underground tunnels and bomb shelters at various times, but in most cases these are temporary solutions that are not intended for full-fledged daily schooling.

Thus, Ukraine has actually become the first country to build underground schools as part of a national programme, which have everything necessary for education and meet strict safety requirements in the face of potential shelling.

We remind you! Starting in 2027, Ukrainian schoolchildren will be studying under a new reform that includes a number of innovations. We told you what changes the government is preparing for school education.

Want to know more? Read the latest news and useful materials about Ukraine and the world in the News section.

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