Learning in Crisis: Learning Losses Among Ukrainian Youth in the Reality of War

Abstract

In the face of the ongoing armed conflict in Ukraine, the educational situation for young people has been severely disrupted. The war not only affects daily life but also leads to the emergence of numerous educational gaps that may have long-term consequences for the future of the younger generation. This article will present the challenges students face in crisis conditions, as well as proposed solutions aimed at alleviating the effects of these difficulties. The study, conducted in 2025 among 120 teachers from Ukrainian upper-secondary schools located in regions relatively less affected by direct military hostilities – where the educational process has been carried out predominantly in an in-person format and without prolonged interruptions, enabling an analysis of the functioning of the education system under conditions of relative continuity of school operations – aimed to identify the nature, causes, and consequences of educational gaps in a crisis situation. The PAPI method and an original questionnaire were used, capturing both didactic and psychosocial aspects of the phenomenon. The results indicate that educational gaps are multidimensional. The most commonly observed issues include difficulties with concentration and a decline in motivation to learn, curricular gaps resulting from interruptions in education or online learning, as well as deepened deficits among displaced students and older youth. The main causes are: stress and trauma, lack of stability in daily life, and online learning. The consequences include not only weakened academic performance but also symptoms of trauma, apathy, difficulties in social communication, and lack of interests, which hinder the personal development of young people. The article emphasizes the need for comprehensive compensatory actions, including both didactic strategies and psychosocial interventions. It is noted that without systemic interventions, there is a risk of permanently entrenching educational deficits, which will negatively impact human capital and the country’s recovery process in the future.