Construction of over 40 underground schools underway in Kharkiv region

According to Ukrinform, this was reported by Ukraine’s Minister of Education and Science Oksen Lisovyi on Facebook.

“Last week, I was on a working trip to Kharkiv region which is currently implementing the largest number of underground school construction projects,” Lisovyi noted.

According to him, 38 underground schools in the city and region are currently under construction, funded under the comprehensive Offline School program, while seven other projects are being carried out with international support.

Lisovyi said the purpose of the visit was to assess the pace of work and identify community needs ahead of forming next year’s budget, particularly to complete facilities scheduled for delivery by the end of this year. Over two days, he visited 21 construction sites, five of which already have full educational processes underway.

Lisovyi emphasized that despite the region’s proximity to the frontline, construction teams and communities are working under extremely difficult conditions — in multiple shifts, sometimes without electricity or communication.

“They are doing everything possible to finish the facilities quickly and bring children back to safe classrooms. This dedication and perseverance are the main reasons why work doesn’t stop even under shelling,” the minister said.

He stressed that underground schools are part of the state’s systematic policy to restore in-person education in safe conditions.

“Even in frontline regions, children have the right to education and a normal school life. We plan to further expand the program so that every child in Ukraine can study in person, alongside peers, in a safe environment,” Lisovyi stated.

As reported by Ukrinform, the first underground kindergarten in the country is being built in the town of Pisochyn in Kharkiv region.

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