THE CHALLENGE

In collaboration with the Ministry of Education and Science, the Ministry of Finance has initiated this project to address the challenges under-populated schools in rural areas face in providing children with a good quality facilities and equipment, challenging curricula, and highly skilled teachers.

OVERVIEW

USAID is remodeling and upgrading 24 secondary schools, one in each oblast of Ukraine, with the exception of Crimea, to help create model hub schools that serve as alternatives to Ukraine’s existing system of small, rural schools with limited student populations and excess faculty. Hub schools aim to provide educational advantages to school children from small villages throughout the country.

The project will not only supplement resources in communities hosting conflict-displaced youth, but also serve as a mode of a Government of Ukraine-led process of school consolidation that will help improve the quality of educational services nationwide.  The schools will serve as tangible examples of the Government of Ukraine’s efforts empower local governments to provide services responsive to community needs.

ONGOING PROGRAMS

USAID’s Office of Foreign Disaster Assistance is working with two international NGOs to implement the renovations. Renovations will differ per school, but activities include the improvement of restrooms, replacement or repair of windows, ceilings, and roofs; painting of internal walls; and installation of ramps and other access devices for people with disabilities.

USAID’s Office of Transition Initiatives is supporting the effort by providing IT and sports equipment to the schools.  USAID support will furnish one "smart classroom" in each school with computers for both students and teachers, a project and multimedia board, and sports equipment, including basketball, football and gymnastics supplies.

The Western NIS Enterprise Fund, a USAID grantee, will supplement USAID’s support with additional purchases of laboratory equipment, while Microsoft will provide training to hub school computer science teachers. In addition, the British Council is preparing an English language training course for the schools’ English language teachers.

PROGRAM HIGHLIGHTS

• Introduction of handicap-accessibility features ensures students with disabilities can attend school.
• Renovations reduce the amount of asbestos while improving insulation and reducing energy costs.
• Installation of separate bathrooms for males and females, creating stalls dividing individual toilets, and improvement of sanitation and hygiene, enhances the respect and dignity for all students and faculty.