Zelenska, von der Leyen visit schools destroyed by Russians in Irpin

Ukraine’s First Lady Olena Zelenska and President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen visited the destroyed schools in Irpin, Kyiv region.

"Just yesterday, President of the European Commission Ursula von der Leyen announced the EC’s decision to allocate 100 million euros for the reconstruction of Ukrainian schools within the framework of the Fast Recovery Plan... Today, I and Ursula von der Leyen are in Irpin. She can see the damaged educational institutions with her own eyes," Zelenska posted on Telegram.

Zelenska and von der Leyen visited Irpin Lyceum No. 3 and School No. 17, where 2,000 and 2,5000 students studied before the war, respectively. According to the First Lady, 75% of the lyceum premises were destroyed: the younger students have been accepted by another institution, the older students study remotely. As for School No. 17, it was possible to partially rebuild the school and even equip a shelter by September 1, 2022, at the expense of state and local budgets and with UNICEF assistance.

"A good example of how together – only together – we can restore the educational process. EU funds will help us rebuild 74 schools like these in Irpin. This will mean that we will be able to return children not only education, but also a normal pace of life, plans, prospects, dreams – everything that is called ‘future’,” Zelenska emphasized.

As reported, on September 14, Ursula von der Leyen announced the decision of the European Commission to allocate 100 million euros for the reconstruction of 74 Ukrainian schools within the framework of the Fast Recovery Plan. These institutions should be rebuilt before winter starts.

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