UNESCO’s innovative program “Safe Learning Environment” is transforming education in Ukraine: schools are becoming safer, and learning continues even during wartime. Following a successful three-year pilot project, the systemic safety model is now ready to be scaled nationwide.
The UNESCO program was launched in 2023 after the government approved the Concept of Safety for Educational Institutions. Its comprehensive approach was tested in 12 communities across Zhytomyr and Odesa regions.
The results were presented on November 26 at the Partnership Forum “Safe Learning Environment in Wartime” — a national platform bringing together the government, local communities, and international partners to outline the next steps for scaling the model across the country.
Achievements of the Model:
The goal of UNESCO’s pilot project is to ensure the physical, psychological, and organizational readiness of schools, as well as to make sure that everyone, from teachers to emergency responders, knows how to act in a crisis situation.
“Safety is not just a checklist of requirements; it is an integrated system that unites different stakeholders. UNESCO continues to support Ukrainian education so that every student and teacher feels dignity, confidence, and hope,” said Min Jong Kim, Director of UNESCO’s Education 2030 Department.
Over the past three years, the UNESCO pilot project has achieved the following results:
Safer learning for children: Over 38,000 students now study in classrooms equipped with safety measures and psychosocial support.
Teachers equipped with skills and tools: More than 7,400 teachers and school staff have undergone training on emergency response, supported by 110 master trainers.
Inclusive support: 20 inclusive resource centers received modern diagnostic tools and training on their use. This has strengthened support for over 140,000 children with special educational and psychological needs, as well as for their families and teachers.
Improved infrastructure: Safety assessments, critical repairs, and equipment upgrades were carried out in 32 schools.
New community roles: Positions for specialists in safe learning environments were introduced to coordinate the work of schools, emergency responders, and police, as well as supervisors for inclusive resource centers to support psychologists and teachers in educational institutions.
As part of the program, UNESCO also developed a Toolkit, which compiles best practices, standards, protocols, and educational materials tested in 244 pilot schools. Designed for any school, regardless of size or resources, this toolkit makes systemic safety achievable everywhere. It is already available to all teachers and community members.
National-Level Scaling
The Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine has approved an order allowing the use of UNESCO’s methodology for training personnel in all educational institutions. This paves the way for nationwide implementation of the model. Training has already begun in underground schools in Zaporizhzhia, and supervisors from inclusive resource centers in three regions, Zaporizhzhia, Dnipropetrovsk, and Ternopil, will start sessions in December.
“We are creating a new educational culture, where safety, support, and care are as important as knowledge. Our goal is to scale this model across the country so it becomes a standard for every Ukrainian school,” said Olha Budnik, Presidential Advisor and Presidential Commissioner for the Fund for Education, Science, and Sports Support.
“Creating a safe learning environment is a strategic priority for Ukraine and our education work. I am confident that through partnership we will overcome all challenges and make every educational institution a safe place,” noted Andrii Vitrenko, Deputy Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine.
The forum “Safe Educational Environment in Wartime” brought together representatives from the government, communities, international organizations, and educators to exchange experiences and plan next steps. Thanks to UNESCO’s leadership and strong partnerships, Ukraine is building a future where every child can learn safely — even in the most challenging times.
The forum was organized by the UNESCO Office in Ukraine with support from the Government of Japan and the Global Partnership for Education (GPE), in collaboration with the Fund for Education, Science, and Sports Support of the President, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine.
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