CHANGES IN THE AVAILABILITY OF EDUCATIONAL SERVICES UNDER THE INFLUENCE OF THE EVENTS OF RECENT YEARS

Abstract

The article analyzes the accessibility of educational services in Ukraine during the COVID-19 pandemic and the full-scale war. The research is based on studies conducted by the Institute of Demography and Social Studies of the National Academy of Sciences of Ukraine within the project "The Growth of Inequality and Poverty in Ukraine as a Consequence of the COVID-19 Pandemic." The study confirmed that pandemics, like economic crises, disproportionately affect various socio-demographic groups, exacerbating inequality in access to quality education. The COVID-19 pandemic accelerated the digitalization of education and the implementation of innovative technologies but also caused significant disruption due to school closures and the forced transition to distance learning. This led to a decline in the quality and accessibility of educational services, deepening educational inequality. Students without necessary resources — computers, stable internet, or a proper workspace — faced learning delays and low academic performance. Children from low-income families and rural areas were most vulnerable to educational losses. However, government intervention stabilized the situation, and the education system adapted to new conditions. The experience of distance learning during the pandemic enabled teachers and students to quickly respond to the challenges of martial law and resume education in remote or hybrid formats. Nevertheless, even before the full-scale invasion, students from vulnerable groups already experienced limited access to digital devices and high-speed internet. The war further deepened existing educational inequalities, while security challenges, displacement, and other conflict-related consequences created additional barriers to quality education for many Ukrainian children.