For the first time globally, a randomized controlled trial (RCT) has been conducted to measure the impact of education programs during an active war. Implemented by Teach For Ukraine through its “Osvitnii Sup” (“Educational Support”) program, the study provides rare experimental evidence of how short-term academic and psychological support can help children learn and thrive in crisis.
The findings are striking: the program not only delivered significant academic gains and reduced stress among participants but also proved to be highly cost-effective. Even if only 20% of the benefits persist after five years, the return on investment remains positive. The evidence challenges the idea that education should wait until after conflict, highlighting its central role in resilience, humanitarian response, and long-term recovery.
The research followed a classic RCT design. Children were randomly assigned to two groups: one received six weeks of online tutoring organized by Teach For Ukraine, while the other did not.
Three study waves took place:
– February 2023 — amid blackouts, one year after the full-scale invasion.
– March 2023 — supporting students at the end of the academic year.
– February 2024 — expanding to new participants.
In total, 9,832 students were involved. Both the treatment and control groups completed tests in math and Ukrainian language, alongside surveys on socio-emotional well-being, at the start and end of each wave.
Tutoring was delivered by public school teachers who received specialized training in tutoring pedagogy through a model adapted from the International Tutoring School for Teach For Ukraine.
The study shows that if the program were financed by the government, the costs could be fully recouped through future tax revenues, even under modest assumptions of participants’ earnings and tax contributions (1.8%–3.2%).
Five takeaways stand out:
- Strong academic gains. The program enabled children to recover the equivalent of 0.9 to 1.3 years of lost learning.
- Lower stress levels. Students who attended regularly reported consistently reduced stress.
- Wartime feasibility. Despite blackouts, internet outages, and displacement, more than two-thirds of participants attended regularly, engaged with peers, and showed motivation to keep learning.
- High cost-effectiveness. “Osvitnii Sup” proved to be an economically sound investment in human capital during war.
- Scalability. The program can be expanded nationwide, leveraging existing school infrastructure and teacher capacity.
Unlike most conflict-related studies, which focus on post-war reconstruction or rely on observational data, this RCT demonstrates that rigorous evaluation and effective educational support are possible even in wartime. Waiting until peace to act risks widening inequalities and slowing recovery.
For us, this research carries a double meaning. It proves that even under the extreme conditions of war, investing in children’s education is possible, effective, and transformative. In just six weeks, students achieved measurable academic progress, reduced their stress, and grew more motivated to learn. The ‘Osvitnii Sup’ program not only gave them knowledge but also a sense of support, community, and belief in their own abilities.
This is also a message for policymakers: education must remain a priority, even during war. Every hryvnia invested in a child today pays back many times over in the future, through resilient, educated citizens who will rebuild their country.
As of September 2025, “Osvitnii Sup” has already reached over 40,000 children, engaged 1,700 public school teachersand 1,100 volunteer tutors, and delivered more than 165,000 lessons across 26 online and 14 offline program waves.
You can find full study via the link.
