A school has been a center of Russian propaganda in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts for more than 9 years.Every year the occupation authorities bring thousands of textbooks with rewritten history of Russia and facts about the modern war to educational institutions.Some schoolchildren resist propaganda. They are looking for opportunities to get a Ukrainian education.
TRYBUN learned about the peculiarities of education, how propaganda works, ways of enrolling students from the occupied territories in Ukrainian schools, and what awaits them after the deoccupation.
School lessons in the occupation
Russian propaganda has been active in schools in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblast since 2014.
During the period of full-scale invasion, it gained momentum and expanded the scope of influence.Propaganda messages were also spread in educational institutions that came under occupation after February 24, 2022.
In the lessons, teachers instill in schoolchildren love for the so-called republics, the Russian Federation, talk about its greatness, culture and educate patriotism.For example, on the occasion of the so-called "Day of National Unity" for the students of Luhansk School № 33 on October 25, 2023, the lesson "I am a Russian" was held.
"Luhansk Information Center" reported that " teacher of history Olha Akynshina conducted the class for fifth-graders of Luhansk School № 33."She set herself the goal of “showing the wealth of our country to the younger generation,” instilling respect for representatives of different nationalities and religions, forming a civic identity and awareness of one’s belonging to the people.”
The result of the activity is to form the “correct thought” in the children's minds to make pupils truly identify themselves with the Russian people.
“When asked what unites all citizens of Russia, a fifth-grade student answered “we are united by love for the Motherland.” The lesson was very narrative. I love my Motherland very much and I will serve it faithfully.”
Students of junior and senior classes are told about the modern war and its participants.The teachers invite the so-called "heroes" of LPR/DPR, veterans who took part in hostilities, to the so-called " lesson of courage". They tell schoolchildren about the protection of their native land, the "liberation" of settlements, frontline stories, etc. All information and facts are propagandistic, beneficial for the Russian side.
The so-called "lesson of courage" with the participation of militants of the illegal armed formation "Vostok" took place on September 4, 2023 at primary school № 24 of the Hirnytsky district of Makiyivka, Donetsk region. News agency "Novorossiya" published news about it.
“Today, on September 4, veterans of the Vostok brigade Andrii Revenko “Reva”, Yurii Kolomiytsev “Syoma” and Oleg Veter conducted a lesson of courage dedicated to the Day of the Liberation of Donbass from the Nazi invaders at secondary school № 24 in the Hirnytsky
district of Makiyivka.Veterans told high school students about the history of the liberation of the region, starting on August 8, 1943.”
"Veterans" Revenko “Reva”, Yurii Kolomiytsev “Syoma” and Oleg Veter
told the students about the so-called the liberation of Donbas, the battles for Savur-Mohyla, drew historical parallels between 1943 and 2014.
“Our lesson of courage was dedicated to coincide with the 77th anniversary of the liberation of Donbass, which we will celebrate on September 8.We drew a parallel between 1943 and 2014, when we defended our native land from the fascist enemy at Saur-Mohyla.Just like in 1943, in 2014 we had to defend our Motherland on the same mounds, the same places where our grandfathers and great-grandfathers defended our land and from where they drove out the enemy.”
In addition, during the lesson, the children sang national anthem of the so-called
brigade "Vostok" "Battalion "Vostok" and watched "Donbass. Saur-Mohyla. Unfinished battle", filmed in 2016 with the support of the State Fund of Russia.
Textbooks that children study in the occupation
The Russian authorities spread propaganda through all possible channels. School textbooks are one of these methods as well. In 2014, immediately after the occupation of the territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, Russian-style books were brought to educational institutions.The occupiers paid special attention to historical publications about the so-called republics, Donbas, and the war.
The period of full-scale invasion was no exception. However, history textbooks were rewritten. Terms "Special Military Operations", "new territories", etc were added. Starting from September 1, 2023, eleventh-graders in the schools of the temporarily occupied Luhansk oblast study using new books.
For example, in one of the paragraphs, students are told about: "Special military operation", "coup in 2014 in Ukraine", "Ukrainian neo-Nazism", "resurgence of Nazism", "counteraction of the West's strategy in relation to Russia", "Ukraine is ultra-nationalist state".
The Russian authorities began supplying books to the newly occupied territories of Luhansk oblast as early as 2022.More than 3,000 textbooks on the Russian language, literature, history, law, social studies, and English were delivered to schools of Sievierodonetsk on September 3, 2022.
The so-called Head of Sievierodonetsk City Administration Morgunov reported in his Telegram channel.
“On September 3, the first batch of textbooks for schoolchildren in our oblast arrived in Sievierodonetsk. The total number of books exceeded 3000 copies.
They cover subject areas such as Russian language, literature, history, law, social studies, English. These books are intended for students in grades 1-11.The delivery was organized with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of the Lugansk People's Republic and the Ministry of Education of the Russian Federation.This is only the first delivery, the second is scheduled for September 6, after which the city’s students will be provided with textbooks in full. The textbooks comply with the Russian education system, which is very important for the integration of children into the educational space of the Russian Federation.”
The occupiers spend enormous amounts of money on printing textbooks for propaganda and influence on the young generation in the occupied territories.
At the same time, they do not allocate money for the reconstruction of settlements and infrastructure facilities in Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts. For the so-called authorities, conducting propaganda is a higher priority than even supplying new books, which are in demand, to Russian schools.
School "Desks of Heroes"
Education of Russian patriotism is a key task in schools in the occupied territories.For this purpose, the occupiers conduct not only thematic actions, contests, writing works, drawings, so-called defenders, but entire projects are also created.All-Russian educational project "Desks of Heroes", created within the framework of the "New School" project of the All-Russian political party "Edinnaya Russia" is one of the popular among the schools in the occupation.
The purpose of the "Desks of Heroes" is to tell schoolchildren about a well-deserved person who entered the history of the homeland and/or considered to be a modern hero, and has a direct relation to the school.It contains a photo, biography and "heroic path".During the Russian-Ukrainian war, the desk was opened in honor of the fallen so-called defenders of the so-called republics.
Sitting at this desk is considered a matter of pride, because only students who take an active part in school life and study excellently have the right to do so.
"Desk of Heroes" was opened in several educational institutions of the occupied Luhansk oblast.For example, on October 19, 2023, it was presented at the Anthracite School № 2 in honor of front-line teacher Kostyantyn Molodshikh.On October 20, 2023, the Desk was opened at the "Alchevsk Collegium № 1 named after Khrystyna Alchevska" on the occasion of commemorating the so-called defender of the so-called Republic Valentin Melnikov.
In Luhansk, on November 4, 2023, the "Desk of Heroes" named after Mykhailo Dodonov, a participant in the "Great Patriotic War", was solemnly opened in the "New Generation" educational complex.
Militarization of schoolchildren in the occupation
In the temporarily occupied territories, children are taught not only to love the so-called LPR/DPR, to know and respect the fighters, but also to be ready to join their ranks to protect the homeland.Special "movements" aimed at the militarization of junior and senior high school students are being created on the basis of schools.
For example, in Luhansk, at school № 17 on the 4th of June 2023, the “House of Youth Army” was opened. “Lugansk Information Center” reported that “the goal of the movement is to arouse interest among the younger generation in the geography and history of Russia and its people.It is intended to unite all organizations involved in pre-conscription training of citizens.”
Viktor Kaurov, the so-called first deputy chief of the General Staff of the "Young Army" movement, emphasized that “House of Youth Army” is a unique space aimed at supporting children and youth, gaining them innovative knowledge and practical experience in various fields of activity: civil-patriotic, scientific-technical, tourism-local history, social-pedagogical, physical education-sports and creative."
Children immediately use the acquired theoretical knowledge in practice.As “LYTS” stands for, “participants of the movement, in their free time from studies, work to preserve memorials and obelisks, keep vigils of memory at the Eternal Flame, engage in volunteer activities, and take part in major cultural and sporting events.”
In Lysychansk, a primary branch of the Russian Movement of Children and Youth was opened for schoolchildren.
How do children under occupation study in Ukrainian schools?
The occupation authorities show happy children and parents satisfied from studying according to Russian programs.
Some schoolchildren try to get a Ukrainian education even in the occupied territories.
They are looking for ways to enroll in Ukrainian schools and opportunities to join classes.
According to Oleh Okhredko, when talking about obtaining Ukrainian education in the temporarily occupied territories, the periods of occupation should be divided.
It's 2014 and after a full scale invasion.
"Since the beginning of the occupation of certain territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts in 2014, Autonomous Republic of Crimea, Ukraine has been worrying about schoolchildren.
They were offered distance learning at the International Ukrainian School, externship, individual form of education.Any educational institution on the territory of Ukraine provided services to children," Oleh Okhredko, coordinator of educational programs, expert, analyst of the "Almenda" Center for Civic Education said.
There have been changes in the legislation and regulatory documents that helped students from the occupied territories receive a Ukrainian education.
"The Regulation on the individual form of obtaining a full general secondary education separately prescribed mechanisms that children from the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts can study in Ukrainian schools remotely.This gave them the opportunity to further enter the special direction created by Ukraine - through educational centers - to institutions of professional and technical and higher education, colleges", Mr. Ohredko emphasized.
During the full-scale invasion, not only the scale of the occupation changed, but also the issue of schoolchildren's education. It differs from what was in 2014 and it has its own peculiarities.
"The majority of schools from the territories occupied after February 24, 2022, left and continued the education of all students.As of today, hundreds of schools provide services to children who remained in the occupation, went abroad, became IDPs.So schoolchildren have the opportunity to receive a Ukrainian education. The main thing is to have a desire, and this does not create problems for their safety", - the analyst says Ukrainian education vs Russian propaganda Oleh Okhredko, an analyst at the "Almenda" Center for Civic Enlightenment, emphasizes that it is almost impossible to counter Russian propaganda in the occupied territories.
"Unfortunately, opportunities are limited due to the fact that the Russian Federation treats children who resist the occupation very harshly.For example, in 2016, the so-called state "Yarova laws" were adopted regarding the restriction of children's activities, in particular in networks.Starting from the age of 14, they could bear responsibility, even punishment. The occupiers pursue them at every step".
Mr. Okhredko emphasizes that it is possible to counteract Russian propaganda with the help of the Internet, but there are some limitations.The safety of schoolchildren and their parents should be kept in mind. Sometimes it can be very damaging and even physically affect the family.
"At a school in the occupied territory, a second-grader sang a song about Putin. On the same day, the parents were called with threats that they would take their child away and send them to the "basement," the expert said.
Is it possible after the de-occupation of the territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts to "re-educate" children, introduce Ukrainian school programs, completely refute Russian propaganda?! This issue is difficult, but the coordinator of educational programs of the Center for Civic Education "Almenda" claims that they are ready to overcome it, work is ongoing.
"Unfortunately, this school year in the occupied territories of Luhansk and Donetsk oblasts, the Republic of Crimea, children who studied in the 1st grade at the beginning of the war went to the 11th grade.They spent their entire school life in the occupation. When the territories are liberated, we will have a lot of work to do.
Now our organization is looking for international experience, special approaches, because Ukraine will face many challenges, in particular linguistic, propaganda, etc.,” Mr. Okhredko commented.
According to the analyst, one of the best options, so to speak, to "retrain" children is to teach them to think.
"Russian propaganda is aimed at making children not think, but simply follow commands. Ukrainian education, the new Ukrainian school, is aimed not only at students acquiring knowledge, but at knowing and being able to use it.They develop critical thinking - teach to think and check. Children must come to their own conclusions."
How to get a Ukrainian education in the occupation?
Oleh Okhredko, coordinator of educational programs, expert, analyst of the "Almenda" Civic Education Center, shared the options for schoolchildren and parents who are currently in the occupied territories to receive a Ukrainian education.
Option 1. The child can choosr the so-called "family education". S/he will be enrolled in school, will complete assignments, but will not physically attend classes.
Option 2. Choose the Ukrainian school where the child plans to study. Submit documents electronically in a remote format. It is possible to choose a public or private school.
The most important thing is to remember about security and have the Internet for studying. All clarifications regarding studying in Ukraine from the occupied territories are available on the website of the "Almenda" Center for Civic Education.
