EDUCATIONAL LOSSES IN UKRAINE UNDER MARTIAL LAW: SCALE, CHALLENGES, AND MITIGATION MECHANISMS

Abstract

The article examines the problem of educational losses in Ukraine under
martial law, with a focus on the functioning of the higher education system. The study
раскрыє the essence of the concept of «educational losses,» noting that they are shaped
by political, socio-economic, and psychological-pedagogical factors and manifest at the
institutional, procedural, and outcome levels of the education system.
It is established that military aggression has significantly affected the stability of
the educational environment, causing the destruction of educational infrastructure,
disruption of the continuity of the learning process, forced migration of students and academic staff, and limited access to educational resources. Based on the analysis of
statistical data, a trend toward a substantial reduction in the network of higher education
institutions, the number of students, and academic staff during 2019–2024 has been
identified. In particular, a notable decrease in the number of higher education institutions
has been recorded, indicating a transformation of the institutional structure of the
education system.
At the same time, a decline in the overall student population is observed, driven by
demographic changes, migration processes, and challenging conditions of the
educational environment. Special attention is given to the dynamics of human resources
in the higher education system, reflecting a gradual decrease in the number of academic
and teaching staff.
It is substantiated that overcoming educational losses requires the implementation
of a comprehensive state policy aimed at restoring educational infrastructure, ensuring
a safe learning environment, supporting the academic community, and preserving human
capital. Key instruments for stabilizing the educational process include the development
of digital educational technologies, expansion of distance and blended learning
opportunities, implementation of individualized learning pathways, and intensification of
international academic cooperation.
The study concludes that the implementation of these mechanisms will contribute
to the gradual restoration of Ukraineʼs educational potential and ensure the sustainable
development of the higher education system under conditions of prolonged societal
transformations.

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