Sumy region has received five new underground schools before the start of the academic year. Four of these educational spaces have been opened in Sumy municipality, and another one was built in Shostka. This infrastructure will allow almost two thousand children to return to in‑person learning in the face of regular air raid alerts.
The newly built protective structures designed for 1,360 seats. Since the number of students in these facilities is 1,944, school administrations will organize the learning process in shifts. The underground premises are designed as fully functional classrooms. Here children will continue lessons, work on projects, and communicate with peers during prolonged threats.
Ukrainian Minister of Education and Science Andriy Butenko emphasizes the priority of safety for participants in the educational process. The ministry is investing in infrastructure and developing learning scenarios to preserve the in‑person format of education. Creating such shelters is part of the reform of the New Ukrainian School, which requires a safe environment for child development in frontline territories.
Construction in Sumy is part of a large state initiative. Ukraine already operates 238 similar underground schools and de‑radiation shelters. The state budget for 2026 allocates 5 billion hryvnia in subsidies to set up another 113 facilities in 22 regions, focusing on high‑risk areas.
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