New safety rules in schools: what the law will change and what educational institutions are preparing for

A law on security in educational institutions has come into force in Ukraine, which should significantly change approaches to school security and the protection of students and teachers during martial law. The document provides for new requirements for organizing security, and also lays the foundation for expanding the autonomy of educational institutions.

The parliamentary Committee on Education, Science and Innovations reported on the preparation of the law, its implementation and key changes.

Why was there a need for a new law

The specialized committee emphasizes that the full-scale war has radically changed the requirements for the security of educational institutions.

In addition to the constant threat of missile attacks, the risks have increased due to the spread of weapons among the civilian population and the increase in the number of people with post-traumatic stress disorder. That is why schools, where hundreds of children and employees are every day, need additional protection.

The initiator of the bill was the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which analyzed cases of emergency events in educational institutions throughout Ukraine.

Open schools are a thing of the past

The committee notes that the practice of allowing anyone to enter a school without hindrance no longer meets modern security requirements.

During the preparation of the bill, consultations were held with representatives of local governments, heads of educational institutions, and school founders. Despite difficult discussions, a compromise was found on the key provisions of the document.

One of the main areas of the reform will be the introduction of clear rules for access to educational institutions.

What else is needed for the full launch of the law

Despite the entry into force of the law, its full implementation requires the adoption of a number of subordinate regulatory acts.

They will determine:

mechanisms for implementing new requirements;

rules for organizing security;

the procedure for accessing schools;

the responsibilities of responsible persons.

It is also planned to train employees who will be responsible for implementing the new rules.

More powers for school principals

The parliamentary committee believes that ensuring security should be combined with further expansion of the autonomy of educational institutions.

It is assumed that principals will receive more opportunities to independently make organizational and financial decisions, while at the same time bearing personal responsibility for their implementation.

According to the people’s deputies, the Ukrainian education system should gradually move away from an overly centralized management model.

Will parents be able to freely enter schools

One of the most debatable issues was parental attendance at schools.

The committee notes that the long-standing practice of free access to educational institutions needs to be reviewed in light of the security situation.

It is expected that the Ministry of Education and Science will determine the procedure for admission to schools. At the same time, each educational institution will have a certain level of independence in applying these rules.

What requirements are already in force

Earlier, the Ministry of Internal Affairs approved updated requirements for the security of educational institutions for the period of martial law.

Among the mandatory measures:

physical security of educational institutions;

use of metal detectors;

video surveillance systems.

It is expected that, together with the new law, these measures will become the basis of a comprehensive security system for Ukrainian schools.