Zaporizhzhia: In the Face of Threat, Learning Takes Place Underground

The city of Zaporizhzhia in Ukraine is currently experiencing an exodus of many of its inhabitants, yet at the same time, it is becoming a refuge for Ukrainians from Russian-occupied areas such as Mariupol, Melitopol, and Berdyansk. While the city's schools remained closed in September 2022 due to bomb damage, the immediate danger was made clear by the acute situation at the nuclear reactor 50 kilometers away. A cold shutdown, achieved through negotiations between the International Atomic Energy Agency (IAEA) and the Russian government, managed to limit the risks, though not eliminate them entirely. With Russia's repeated attacks on Ukraine's power supply, which have increased again this year, the power supply to the facility is often secured only through a single line or generators. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky is making serious accusations against Russia and warns of targeted attacks on nuclear facilities. Amidst this threat, an underground school system is being built in Zaporizhzhia to protect students not only from bomb attacks but also to serve as a crisis shelter for the neighborhood. An ambitious construction project with a volume of over 2.7 million dollars is turning School No. 88 into a defensive facility. This is happening in a city that remains operational despite the departure of 150 of its 650 students, with functioning public transport and open shops. While Gymnasium No. 6 already partially features underground classrooms, Ukrainian parents are contributing to the improvement of these facilities to continue classes, at least on a rotating basis. In anticipation of the school start, Principal Konstantyn Lypskyi tested these safety precautions, which gave students courage and a semblance of normality.