You can reach Lyceum N46 in Zaporizhia, in the southeast of Ukraine, through a heavy iron door - and stairs that lead seven meters underground. As in any normal school, a bell rings here, after which classes begin, reports the German public broadcaster ARD.
Yulia Bondarenko, a German teacher, shows the German media team around the premises. "There are computers in all the classrooms, but also whiteboards that you can write on with markers. Of course, there is also the Internet."
In short: all the conditions for modern teaching are in place. The classrooms are reminiscent of a startup's premises - colorful walls, and in the corridors there are sofas for breaks.
"We have all the possibilities in this school", teacher Yulia Bondarenko tells ARD. Movies, videos, tests - everything is available. Students also have a gymnastics area.
The front is very close to the city
There is an explanation for why classes are held underground - the front is only a few kilometers from Zaporozhye. Russia almost daily bombards the city with drones and missiles, sometimes the air raid warning lasts for a whole day.
That is why more and more schools in Zaporozhye are following the example of the lyceum, explains the director Lyudmila Krugla. "During the invasion, the regional military council decided to build a public shelter in this place." It was later converted into a school - to ensure the protection of children. The converted bunker can accommodate up to 500 people. They study in two shifts - the younger ones in the morning, the older ones in the afternoon.
"I like the classes here even more than in the building above, because the rooms are much more modern. At first I had a headache, but I don't have that problem anymore", tenth-grader Elina told ARD.
And her classmate Kira appreciates most of all that she is underground, safe from Russian missiles. "We are satisfied, we are happy, here we can get closer to our dreams."
At least for half a day, the lyceum students can break away from the thought that their country is at war, teacher Bondarenko told the German media. "Here they are together, they talk, they feel calm. And it is very important that they are in a good mood. We only have one life and we need to make plans here and now."
"I miss the sky"
Nevertheless, children and young people also have worries. The boys are afraid that after school they may be drafted into the army. And they are all aware that at any moment they may be hit by a Russian drone.
This also affects plans for the future, Elina admits. "I would like to study graphic design or computer science. Maybe in the future Ukraine will become a better place to live, but now, to be honest, I wouldn't want to be here."
Yulia Bondarenko is not discouraged by such words. She wishes her students the best and encourages them to study in Germany, a country she knows well and loves very much.
There is one thing she misses most about her underground workplace: "I miss the windows, I miss the sky. My greatest wish is for Ukraine to win this war and for peace to come. But no one knows when all this will end."
Author: Peter Savicky (ARD)