Construction of first underground school in Sumy Oblast completed, two more in progress – photos

The construction of the oblast’s first underground school has been completed in Sumy Oblast. Two more are being built in the city of Sumy.

Source: Sumy Oblast Military Administration

Details: According to Sumy Oblast Military Administration, the underground school was built on the territory of one of the hromadas in the Okhtyrka district. The work was completed at the end of 2024. [A hromada is an administrative unit designating a village, several villages, or a town, and their adjacent territories – ed.]

The anti-radiation shelter will soon allow children and teachers to return to full-time education. It is a dual-purpose facility that fits 295 people: it can be used as a classroom and to protect the hromada residents in case of emergency.

The project was implemented through co-financing: UAH 29.4 million (about US$695,000) was allocated from the state budget, and another UAH 1.6 million (about US$38,000) was allocated by the hromada.

Quote: "This is the first dual-purpose anti-radiation shelter we have built in an educational institution in our oblast. Today, we are doing everything possible to enable our children to move away from the distance learning format and study in a mixed or full-time form," said Volodymyr Artiukh, Head of Sumy Oblast Military Administration.

He said that two more underground schools of this type are being built in Sumy.

Background: A third underground school is currently being completed in Zaporizhzhia Oblast. It will accommodate 1,000 children attending in two shifts.

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