Yes, according to reliable sources such as UNICEF and UNESCO, the war in Ukraine—which began in February 2022—has severely disrupted access to education for over 5.3 million school-aged children, both within Ukraine and among refugee populations in neighboring countries.

Key Reasons for Educational Disruption:

1. Destruction of Educational Infrastructure: Thousands of schools have been damaged or destroyed due to shelling and military operations, making them unsafe or unusable.

2. Mass Displacement: Millions of children have been internally displaced or have become refugees, which has interrupted their access to stable, continuous education.

3. Shift to Remote Learning: The Ukrainian government attempted to shift to online education; however, frequent power outages, limited internet access, and displacement have made this approach difficult to sustain effectively.

4. Psychosocial Impact: Exposure to violence, loss, and trauma has negatively affected children's mental health, concentration, and motivation to learn.

Statistics and Reports:

According to a 2023 UNICEF report, at least 1 in 5 schools in Ukraine has been damaged or destroyed.

Refugee children in host countries (such as Poland, Romania, and Moldova) often face language barriers, difficulties integrating into local school systems, and lack of access to appropriate curricula.

International Response:

UNICEF and other organizations have implemented programs offering psychosocial support, digital learning tools, and education in emergency settings.

Host countries have been encouraged to integrate Ukrainian children into their school systems with cultural and linguistic support.

UNESCO has urged that education be prioritized in humanitarian response plans.

Thank you for this valuable addition. Yes, the figure of over 3,000 damaged or destroyed educational institutions adds a powerful dimension to the scale of the crisis. The fact that 1.5 million children are at high risk of academic delay due to trauma and digital barriers further emphasizes how urgent and multi-layered this educational emergency is.