Kyiv, 6 December 2024 – The United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) in Ukraine, in partnership with the European Union (EU), has completed renovation of the Pyrizhky Gymnasium and Ukrainka Lyceum – village schools in Malyn community, Zhytomyr Oblast. Each school is only institution in the village where children can receive their secondary education, and teachers can work.

Over the last four years, the education process here has changed drastically. It was affected first by the COVID-19 pandemic, and then by the full-scale war. Both schools suffered a lot from shrapnel and blast waves – roofs and facades were damaged, and windows and doors were blown out. Following repairs to the buildings’ facades, improvements to drainage systems, renewal of roofs, replacement windows and doors, and retrofitting of classrooms, the schools have gone from being worn-out and war-ravaged to becoming modern and welcoming learning spaces.

The schools were also re-equipped with new desks, chairs, bookcases and blackboards to ensure the educational process is comfortable and conducive. In addition, the project provided 173 students and teachers in Ukrainka Lyceum with a restored shelter, to ensure that they all have access to safe education.

During the inauguration of the Pyrizhky Gymnasium, the schoolchildren expressed their special joy about the renovation of the gym. The overhaul included replacing the floors, renovating the walls and ceiling, installing recuperators, lighting, heating radiators, and providing new sports equipment. Students can now train and attend physical education classes here year-round.

Marianna Franco, Head of the EU Humanitarian Aid in Ukraine, emphasized the critical importance of education for Ukrainian children: “Education is the key to resilience. Restoring these schools and ensuring children's access to education rebuilds the hopes and futures of Ukraine’s youngest. They deserve a safe and inspiring environment in which to learn, and the EU remains committed to supporting their education. Together with UNDP, we are helping Ukrainian children return to their desks and gain the knowledge they so much need – because they are the future of Ukraine.”

Jaco Cilliers, UNDP Resident Representative in Ukraine, stressed that the project will have a lasting impact on the future of students, teachers and the communities they live in: “Today, the concept of quality education in Ukraine means, first and foremost, its safety. Our task is to create conditions for schoolchildren that will make their learning process a joy, even in the middle of the war. Modern schools, renovated classrooms, and new furniture all contribute to fostering students’ enthusiasm for learning.”

As of today, the EU and UNDP have restored 44 educational facilities in five oblasts (Zhytomyr, Mykolaiv, Rivne, Odesa and Dnipro). More than 16,000 students and teachers have been able to return to their renovated schools.

Background

The school was renovated as part of the “EU4UASchools: Build Back Better” project, which is being implemented by UNDP in Ukraine, in partnership with the EU.

The project is intended to facilitate light repairs of 66 and re-equip 112 educational facilities in 11 oblasts of Ukraine: Zhytomyr, Dnipro, Mykolaiv, Rivne, Odesa, Zakarpattia, Khmelnytskyi, Cherkasy, Lviv, Kirovohrad and Poltava.

Specific repairs are being made to damaged buildings, selected in consultation with Ukraine’s Ministry for Communities, Territories and Infrastructure Development, including light and medium repair works at schools with damage rates equal to or below 60 percent. Renovations include the installation of new windows, repairs of roofs and sanitary facilities, reconstruction of shelters, and other urgent and critical work.

Media enquiries: Yuliia Samus, UNDP Ukraine Head of Communications; e-mail: yuliia.samus@undp.org