How the Ukrainian school system reinvents itself and thrives despite the war
By Editorial Office
In an era when many countries are facing the challenges of artificial intelligence and edtech, Ukraine is managing its education system in the midst of a war.
Ukraine’s Deputy Minister of Education, Mychailo Wynnyckyj, offers a unique look at how the country is not just surviving, but innovating in these extraordinary circumstances.
Wynnyckyj describes the current situation with a powerful metaphor: “It’s a bit like trying to rebuild a turboprop plane into a jet while flying at maximum capacity at 10,000 feet. And with missiles being fired at you at the same time.”
Despite the challenges, the ministry is managing the day-to-day operations of the national education system while simultaneously reforming it. Surprisingly, Ukrainian universities have become crucial innovation hubs for the war effort. Wynnyckyj reveals: “If it weren’t for Ukrainian universities as technology centers, we wouldn’t have anti-radar equipment; we wouldn’t have long-range drones; we wouldn’t be leaders in cyber defense.”
A distinctive aspect of the Ukrainian approach is bottom-up innovation. “In Ukraine, technological innovation usually starts from the bottom,” explains Wynnyckyj.
This approach has led to significant developments, with individual battalions collaborating with university laboratories to create innovative solutions.
The minister attributes this resilience and innovativeness to the country’s strong social capital. “Ukrainians have proven to be extraordinarily resilient. And this is a point of pride for us,” he states.
Wynnyckyj sees this as the result of an education system that teaches solidarity and resilience from a young age. Despite the challenges, Ukraine is making significant progress in technological and language education. “We implement technology education in one way or another from first grade,” says Wynnyckyj. Additionally, 95% of Ukrainian students receive some form of English language education from first grade.
The war has also accelerated the adoption of distance learning solutions. Wynnyckyj proudly mentions the Diia.Education platform, which involved more than 6 million Ukrainians during the pandemic and invasion. Looking to the future, Wynnyckyj emphasizes the importance of emerging from this war as a better country, not only in terms of infrastructure but also in human and social capital.
His balanced approach is summed up in a phrase he often quotes: “Take the best from the West and leave them the rest.” The Ukrainian experience offers valuable lessons on how an education system can not only survive but also innovate in extreme circumstances, highlighting the power of resilience, bottom-up innovation, and adaptability.
In the photo, students from the Polytechnic University of Zaporizhzhia
