Kharkiv will launch seven underground schools and convert six metro stations into educational facilities for the new academic year beginning 1 September, according to Mayor Ihor Terekhov during a television marathon broadcast.

Ukraine builds underground schools to protect children from constant Russian attacks and ensure safe in-person education. These schools are mainly in frontline cities like Kharkiv, Zaporizhzhia, and Sumy, with Kharkiv pioneering metro stations converted into classrooms. Ukraine is among the first countries to extensively use metro stations as schools during wartime, creating a unique model of underground education.

Three of the underground schools were constructed during spring and summer 2025, Terekhov said. The city has also retrofitted six metro stations to accommodate students seeking in-person learning alternatives.

“We will hold 1 September celebrations in underground schools. This is important for us because it’s an emotion for our little citizens,” Terekhov said.

The mayor emphasized the necessity of underground education facilities given current security conditions

Approximately 6,000 first-graders will enter Kharkiv schools this academic year, according to the mayor’s announcement. The underground facilities represent the city’s response to demands for safe in-person education.

“We were the first to retrofit six metro stations where children can study today. We are preparing them so that starting 1 September, children will have the opportunity to study in the metro as well,” Terekhov said.

Each underground school accommodates at least 1,000 students across two shifts, according to Olha Demenko, director of Kharkiv City Council’s Education Department, who provided details in earlier statements.

The city council plans to continue constructing underground schools with the goal of establishing multiple facilities in each district, Terekhov said.