Children in Ukraine Need Support: How the 'Educational Soup' Program Helps Bridge Knowledge Gaps

Unfortunately, today, amid war, constant air raid alerts, forced relocations, and power outages, education for many children has become unstable and intermittent. Missed lessons and topics gradually turn into gaps in knowledge, complicating further learning and affecting children's motivation and belief in their own abilities.

According to the results of the 2022 PISA international education quality study, since the beginning of the war and the pandemic, Ukrainian 15-year-old students have lost the equivalent of almost two years of learning in mathematics, reading, and science. This indicates serious educational losses that could have long-term consequences for the future of children.

Children often do not immediately show signs of difficulties; however, they need support right now to secure opportunities for future success. Estimates from the World Bank (RDNA4, 2025) and other research institutions indicate that accumulated educational losses are costing Ukraine billions of dollars in lost human capital. This is linked to decreased productivity, reduced future incomes, and slowed economic growth. Without proper intervention, these losses will only accumulate: every child with knowledge gaps will earn less as an adult, and the country will lose its potential for rapid recovery.

For example, global estimates of 'returns to education' from the World Bank show that educational losses equivalent to several years of schooling can reduce future earnings of a generation by tens of percent, and the overall economic impact in the long term could reach hundreds of billions of dollars.

However, there is a reliable way to make up for lost time. The 'Educational Soup' program from the NGO 'Teach for Ukraine' helps every child in the project catch up on knowledge and regain self-confidence through free additional classes in school subjects. The classes provide a supportive space for children, fostering a sense of value and trust. The program is implemented within the framework of the multi-year resilience program 2024-2026 (MYRP) and is funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW), a global UN fund that supports education development in emergencies and protracted crises. MYRP in Ukraine is being implemented with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. If your child needs such assistance, register them now.

Zlata, who lives in Kharkiv in Saltivka, shares that due to the war, her school transitioned to online learning, and academic performance has significantly worsened. 'In mathematics, if you don't understand one topic, mistakes become more frequent, grades drop, and self-confidence decreases,' says Zlata's mother. The girl's family received a recommendation to participate in 'Educational Soup.' In the program, Zlata joined additional mathematics classes with mentor Ivan. 'He is the best tutor I have ever had,' says Zlata. 'The mentor broke down topics step by step, often emphasizing difficult points and used Kahoot for math problems and quick reviews. I even outperformed him in the game!'

Within just a few weeks, Zlata's mother noticed results: the number of mistakes significantly decreased, and equations and proportion problems were solved effortlessly. 'Now I feel more confident because I know more,' says Zlata.

'Educational Soup' is not just additional lessons; it is genuine support for the child in the learning process. As explained by Yulia Bylyk, head of knowledge recovery programs at 'Teach for Ukraine,' 'Educational Soup' is a play on words, stemming from 'educational support.' 'This, in our opinion, is the key role of a teacher: to be alongside the child, support their aspirations, suggest strategies for achieving goals, and explain the unclear.' The program helps students in grades 5-11 catch up on knowledge in core school subjects — Ukrainian language, mathematics, English language, history of Ukraine, physics, chemistry, biology, geography, and computer science.

Classes are conducted in small groups of 5 to 15 children, ensuring an individual approach to each participant and encouraging them not to be afraid to ask questions. The format of the classes is flexible: online, twice a week for 45 minutes, at a time convenient for the child. The duration of one learning cycle, referred to as a 'wave' in the program, lasts for 8 weeks. The program employs tutoring and mentoring approaches, combining academic support with socio-emotional development: children develop self-learning skills, overcome the fear of mistakes, and gain self-confidence.

The 'Educational Soup' program is implemented within the framework of the multi-year resilience program 2024-2026 (MYRP) and is funded by Education Cannot Wait (ECW), a global UN fund that supports education development in emergencies and protracted crises. MYRP in Ukraine is being implemented with the support of the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine.

After the occupation of Mariupol, Andriy, along with his family, relocated and settled near Boryspil. For some time, the boy's education occurred exclusively in an online format. As a result, numerous gaps appeared in mathematics: much material was missed, knowledge was not consolidated, grades worsened, and interest faded. Andriy recalls that before joining the 'Educational Soup' program, he felt as if he was just sitting in lessons and understanding nothing.

His mother, Marina, learned about the program, and they decided to join the mathematics classes. Learning in the wave took place in a comfortable atmosphere, the boy says: the mentor broke down topics step by step, allowing time for reflection, regularly checked Andriy's emotional state, and used icebreakers — pictures with different emotional states that help mentors and tutors understand the mood of the child coming to the lesson and what pace of learning should be chosen.