[Ukraine Special 1] HWPL Peace Education Continues Despite the Destruction of 4,500 Schools — A Story of Hope

As someone who teaches children, there’s one question that has been constantly on my mind lately:

What should we be teaching our children in such a harsh and uncertain world?

Then, by chance, I came across an article about Ukraine.
As I read it, I felt both deeply moved and suddenly awakened to an important reality.

Even in the midst of a far more desperate war situation than ours, there are people holding firmly to the value of peace while preparing for the future. Today, I’d like to share their story with you in detail.


“Peace Education Is One of the Most Important Parts of Our Mission”

Before diving into the realities on the ground in Ukraine, I would first like to share a passage from a speech that deeply resonated with me.
It was a message delivered during a teacher training program by Dr. Viktoriya Sokolova, Vice-Rector for Science and International Cooperation at Alfred Nobel University, one of the key partners in peace teacher training each year.

“For Alfred Nobel University, cooperation with HWPL is not merely a partnership — it is an essential part of our mission.
We firmly believe that peace education is a key element in building a sustainable society.
This is especially true now, as Ukraine is going through one of the most difficult periods in its modern history.
That is why this training carries such profound significance.
This program provides teachers not only with knowledge, but also with practical tools to support children and young people during times of war."

Her words deeply moved me. In the darkest and most difficult times, children need more than knowledge — they need practical tools that help them protect their hearts and hold on to peace within themselves.

When Underground Shelters Become Classrooms The Pain Behind the Numbers

In Ukraine today, one out of every six schools has been damaged or destroyed by shelling.
According to Ukraine’s Ministry of Education and Science, as of March 2026, more than 4,500 educational facilities had been damaged, with over 400 completely destroyed beyond recognition.
When air raid sirens sound during class, children rush to underground shelters as if it has become routine, continuing their lessons there. Even online classes are often disrupted by power outages and unstable internet connections.

Yet even under these extreme circumstances, the 3rd HWPL Peace Teacher Training Program did not stop.

From December 2025 to March 2026, an impressive 237 local teachers completed the program — more than the combined total of the first (111) and second (125) training sessions.

Perhaps this shows that the longer the war continues, the deeper the longing for peace becomes.

“If We Do Not Teach Peace, Someone Else Will Teach Violence”

There was one sentence in the article that resonated with me more deeply than anything else.

These were the words of Principal Viktoriya Dekhtyarenko of Kryvyi Rih School No. 77:

“If we do not teach children peace, someone else will teach them violence.”

Doesn’t that statement hit hard?
The reason local educators are so passionate about this program is that it offers more than just theory — it provides something children urgently need right now: a tool for survival.

* Strengthening Resilience
It helps children traumatized by war regain emotional stability and find the strength to move forward again.

* Practical Life Skills
Students learn how to resolve conflicts through dialogue rather than violence, while also developing tolerance, critical thinking, and leadership that promotes harmony within themselves and with the world around them.

* Professional Credibility
The program was supported through the educational platform of Alfred Nobel University, with Departments of Education and Science from regions including Poltava, Rivne, and Zhytomyr participating as partners, further strengthening its credibility and institutional foundation.

Scholars and Professors United by the Value of Peace

Educators from every level — from kindergarten to university — participated in the training program.
What impressed me most was the insight shared by these scholars and educators.

Dr. Tetiana Malanchuk of the Faculty of Law at Sumy State University said:
“We are witnessing the collapse of international law and order, but human values must remain unwavering.” She also expressed her commitment to teaching law not merely as rigid system of rules, but as a tool for protecting life and justice.
Meanwhile, Professor Inna Maletska of Odesa State Agrarian University announced plans to officially introduce a peace education course next year.

The university is also preparing to sign an MOU related to HWPL and peace education, showing that peace is no longer being treated as a one-time initiative, but is gradually taking root within the educational system itself.

Closing Thoughts: The Seeds We Must Plant

At first, I wondered whether peace education could truly be possible during wartime.
But the fact that 99% of participating educators strongly recommended the program speaks for itself.
Seeing Ukrainian teachers continue peace lessons even by candlelight in underground shelters made me feel humbled by how often I only worry from the comfort and safety of my own surroundings.
I deeply admire their noble efforts to prepare for life after the war.
What gives me hope most of all is that the children there are learning “how to live together again.”
Starting today, I also want to become both a mother and a teacher who helps children build stronger hearts filled with peace.

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[Ukraine Special 1] Preparing for the Future Through Peace Education Even During War – HWPL

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