Today in Ukraine the new school year starts. Many children in the occupied territories will have to study in Russian. But one teacher has found a way to teach Ukrainian. Here's what she says:
"We start at 2 p.m. An online lesson lasts 45 minutes, but we work together for about 25 minutes, and the rest of the time the students work independently," mathematics teacher Natalya told the German public broadcaster ARD.
She works in a kind of school for refugees and lives in Kiev. It originates from the Luhansk region, which is almost entirely occupied by Russia. In March 2022, Natalia ran away, like many other teachers. And since the summer of the same year, he has been teaching fifth and sixth graders online in accordance with the Ukrainian curriculum.
The classes don't start until the afternoon, when the children have finished school where they live. Among Natalia's students are children who fled abroad, but also those who live in Luhansk, which is occupied by the Russians.
Fear of the Russians
Natalia told ARD that special security measures were taken in her case. "We know their names, but they appear in our chats under pseudonyms. We correspond via messenger. Children contact me when they have a chance. They may not always be able to participate directly in online classes. They send me their homework through intermediaries - for example, older relatives or neighbors." I.e. people who would not appear suspicious to the occupiers. And this is not by chance, because participation in the digital prohibited classes in Ukrainian is dangerous for both children and their parents.
"They are naturally afraid. If they are in a school controlled by the Russians, they hardly talk to each other - because someone might eavesdrop. Students' phones are also frequently checked. Parents whose children correspond with Ukrainian schools are under the threat of having their children taken away."
Lessons on Russian and Ukrainian identity
Ukrainian and international human rights organizations confirm Natalia's words, writes ARD. The occupation authorities exerted strong pressure on parents who did not send their children to Russian schools. They are taught exclusively in Russian, and the aim is to remove the Ukrainian identity.
Natalia's students know this to be the case. They continue to feel connected to Ukraine. "Students write their homework very conscientiously. Although they have been living in territories occupied by the Russians for two years now, they do not make any language mistakes, they have not forgotten Ukrainian. I think the lessons with us mean a lot to them, as long as they and their parents take such risks."
Relationships are based on trust
Natalia hopes that teaching at her school can contribute to the Ukrainian identity in the occupied territories not being lost. The relationship between her and her students in Luhansk is very good, although the contact is only digital.
Children often write spontaneously - just to talk, Natalia tells ARD. "Sometimes it happens late at night. They want to talk about things they can't or don't want to share with their parents. They tell me, for example, what they dream about. And I just listen."
The children's biggest dream is to one day meet their teacher in person in a free Ukraine.