New horizons for Ukrainian education — in September 2024, Teach for Ukraine NGO and the Norwegian Refugee Council (NRC) in Ukraine began a partnership within the framework of the Educational Soup program — Tutor Catch-up Centers: Effective Learning in Emergency Situations. This program to overcome learning losses aims to help children affected by the war return to education and improve their academic skills.
The project offers students in grades 5–11, who have IDP status or belong to socially vulnerable groups, the opportunity to attend free additional classes in mathematics, history, and the Ukrainian language for three months. It is implemented in Lviv (Secondary School No. 62 and Oriyana Lyceum) and in the Odesa region (Dobroslav and Kurisov Lyceums).
What have we already done?
On September 28 and 29, tutor catch-up trainings took place in Lviv and Odesa for 36 teachers. The training covered basic tools for overcoming learning losses, skills in psychological first aid, collective leadership, child protection basics, and classroom management using the tutoring approach.
Following this training, teachers will conduct 24 sessions over three months at each school and organize a soft skills development camp during the autumn holidays.
Project Manager Yuliia Bilyk says:
“A unique feature of this initiative will be the autumn camp. During the sessions, children will have the chance to look inward and try to find answers to questions like: ‘What are my strengths?’, ‘How can I achieve my goals?’, ‘What makes me unique?’ and more. We believe — and have confirmation from the teachers we work with — that using tutoring tools helps create better communication with children, while carefully building a safe space, icebreaker exercises, and providing thoughtful feedback allow for a deeper understanding of children’s needs and interests.”
NRC is an international humanitarian organization that has been operating in Ukraine since 2014, supporting those affected by the war. Their educational mission aligns closely with the goals of Teach for Ukraine NGO:
- Ensuring access to quality, safe, and inclusive education for children and youth affected by war and displacement;
- Promoting the well-being of children and teachers and restoring damaged schools;
- Engaging youth in community activities.
Together with NRC, we continue our mission to overcome learning losses and support Ukrainian students and educators! We are grateful for the trust and partnership.
