Solutions from Ukraine: Kyiv introduces “POVIR” platform to support schoolchildren in bridging educational gaps

The "POVIR" platform was introduced in the capital to assist students in overcoming educational gaps and setbacks. The trial program will run until the end of 2024, with a participation of 2000 male and female students.

Serhii Koleboshin, the people's deputy and deputy Chairman of the Verkhovna Rada Committee on Education, Science, and Innovation, reported this at the project's presentation.

What is the problem?

According to Serhii Koleboshin, a People's Deputy, there are several factors contributing to educational gaps and losses, including:

• Two years of the pandemic;

• Full-scale war, which has resulted in disrupted education, the inability to attend school due to school damage, air raids, population displacement, and other challenges.

Koleboshin said that this affected every child of school age, as there are more than 4 million children in Ukraine, according to the State Statistics Service.

What is the solution?

In Kyiv, a platform called "POVIR" was launched to assist students in overcoming educational gaps and losses.

"This is an online platform, a digital solution to support students facing learning challenges and losing motivation on the educational path. Its name, POVIR, is a Ukrainian acronym for "Overcoming Educational Losses and Gaps." While we hope that children have support from their families and schools, we also offer a third safe space for assistance and growth. Our main goal is to help all students overcome educational challenges and succeed academically and personally," Koleboshin said.

How does it work?

He stated that they are currently initiating a pilot project that will include 2,000 students from grades 7, 9, and 11. The project will run until the end of 2024.

The platform is free for children and their families and available nationally. The project website has Ukrainian and English versions.

At the pilot stage, schoolchildren can improve in three subjects: mathematics, Ukrainian language, and English.

The platform provides:

• free coaching support,
• educational materials and development of life skills;
• six short meetings of 30 minutes each (sprints) in mathematics, Ukrainian, and English languages, which will help deal with difficulties in these subjects;
• progress tracking and own educational marathon.

After training, the project participant will receive an international certificate with a list of achievements and further recommendations.

It is assumed that the project participants will strengthen their stress resistance, communication, and teamwork skills and develop creative and critical thinking through training, which will be facilitated by SEN teachers (SEN—social-emotional skills).

As Koleboshin noted, the learning process on the platform is gamified. Students can "earn" the so-called virtual currency—vircoins—which can be exchanged for gifts or converted into hryvnias and donated to Ukraine's armed forces or aid to war victims.

As the People's Deputy noted, pupils from vulnerable groups will be able to take part in the "POVIR" pilot project, in particular:

• those whose relatives died in the war,
• children from IDP families,
• children of Ukraine's defenders,
• schoolchildren who are in de-occupied territories or those where hostilities have been or are being waged,
• children who left Ukraine because of the war and others.

According to the project's founders, such a sample will allow the project to evaluate its effectiveness and, if necessary, adjust the platform for work on a national scale for all classes and subjects.

The "POVIR" project is implemented by the Ukrainian Institute for the Development of Education, the NGO "EdCamp Ukraine," and the NGO "Smart Education" in cooperation with the Organization for Economic Cooperation and Development and at the request of the state, namely the Committee on Science, Education, and Innovation, the Advisory Council on Promotion of the development of the general secondary education system under the President of Ukraine, the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, the "All-Ukrainian online school" platform. Support is provided by the International Renaissance Foundation, the UN Foundation "EDUCATION CANNOT WAIT," the United States Agency for International Development, and the international organization "PACT."

For reference:

According to the Ministry of Digital Transformation head, Mykhailo Fedorov, in April, Ukraine launched an educational application "Mriia" for schoolchildren, their parents, and teachers/

Additionally, the capital will launch a new project to establish quick mental health support groups in "Mentalna Varta" educational institutions. This initiative is part of the Bloomberg Philanthropies project.

Furthermore, Ukraine will launch a project to educate schoolchildren on children's rights based on the guidelines outlined in the European Social Charter.