Ukraine’s education system has shown extraordinary resilience throughout the war. However, the latest PISA 2025 results highlight serious learning gaps and underline the urgent need for continued educational support.

Nearly half of Ukrainian 15-year-olds are below basic competency in reading and mathematics, while 35% struggle to reach basic levels in science. Overall, 29.3% of students do not reach basic competency across all three core subjects.

The challenges are particularly severe in rural areas, where students can lag more than three years behind their peers in major cities. At the same time, more than half of educational institutions report shortages of essential learning materials, equipment, and digital devices.

Technology Cannot Replace Learning

Ukraine’s students are increasingly turning to new technologies: around 54% use artificial intelligence weekly to support their studies. But technology alone cannot close the learning gap. Students also need strong foundations in reading, critical thinking, data interpretation, and problem-solving.

And they are trying to build these skills under extraordinary circumstances. Air-raid sirens, shelling, displacement, and damaged infrastructure continue to interrupt education, with many students regularly missing classes.

Science4People e.V.: Investing in the Next Generation

Science4People e.V. is working to help address these challenges by:

  • Providing additional lessons and learning materials to schools with limited resources.
  • Providing learning opportunities free of charge for students in rural and underserved communities , where educational disadvantages are particularly pronounced, ensuring that participation does not depend on a family’s financial situation.
  • Creating supportive spaces for learning and development in communities affected by war and displacement.
  • Supporting teachers and local educators, enabling them to provide additional learning opportunities beyond regular school hours.

The PISA results are a reminder that Ukraine’s educational recovery cannot wait until the war is over.

Investing in education today means giving Ukraine’s young people the knowledge and skills they need to innovate, rebuild, and shape their country’s future.