"Unfortunately, before the conflict in the war zone, we had 17 higher educational institutions, 17 universities were relocated. Before the start of the conflict, more than 124,000 students studied in the Donetsk and Luhansk regions," Minister of Education and Science of Ukraine Serhiy Shkarlet told Report, commenting on how the conflict in the country's east influenced education.
"Only today, according to confirmed data, 93 educational institutions have been damaged in the Donetsk region and 26 in the Luhansk region. These include kindergartens and schools - all educational institutions. As a rule, all these educational institutions received major damage in 2014-2015. Now there is a declaration on the safety of schools, signed with the United Nations, with UNICEF, and somehow, despite the continuation of the armed conflict, they adhere to this declaration. There are a lot of international funds and grants, including the UN Children's Fund, UNICEF which very well support educational institutions, including programs for the restoration of these institutions. No matter how the situation may develop, children shouldn't suffer because of adults. Armed conflict shouldn't affect education. The UN, UNICEF, and a number of international organizations admit it and provide assistance in every possible way in this part. We are very grateful for that," Shkarlet said.