The government announces, on Friday, the measures that were decided following the working session for safety in schools, through which there is the strengthening of security at the entrance and in the premises of schools, a rapid reaction mechanism, the increase in the number of psychological counselors, but also the tightening of the sanctioning regime for acts of violence. The government also announces a working group, coordinated by the Minister of Education and Research, and next week the meeting will take place with the representatives of teachers, students and parents, for the urgent revision of the National Plan to Prevent and Combat Violence in Schools.
“Following the serious incidents of the last few days, Prime Minister Luca Niculescu convened today the Working Group for preventing and combating violence in the school environment, which was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Internal Affairs Marian Neacșu, Minister of Education and Research, Sorin Costreie, Minister Delegate for Pre-University Education, Sorin Ionescu, Minister of Justice, Radu Marinescu, Minister of Labour, Family, Youth and Social Solidarity, Florin Manole, and the Minister of Health, Alexandru Rogobete”, announced the Government in a press release.
“The almost 3 million students who learn daily in almost 6,000 school units in Romania must have the necessary protection from the authorities. Today, we established a set of urgent measures in response to the seriousness of the events of this period. I assure the parents, students and teachers that all the responsible institutions are with them to deal with this phenomenon that has gained momentum,” said Prime Minister Luca Niculescu.
The executive announces that, at the governmental level, the following were decided:
– Strengthening the security at the entrance and in the premises of the schools, by increasing the number of guards and surveillance and control measures;
– The operationalization of a rapid reaction mechanism consisting of representatives of the Ministry of Education and Research, the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Health and the Ministry of Labor and Social Protection and other responsible institutions;
– Increasing the number of school psychological counselors and training teachers for the early identification of risks regarding violence and radicalization of children in schools;
– Revising and strengthening the security plans of educational institutions;
– Tightening the sanctioning regime for acts of violence that take place in the school space, both against students and teachers;
– Legislative changes regarding the possession/introduction of prohibited objects in educational institutions;
– Starting a media campaign to prevent and discourage acts of violence in schools.
The executive also conveys that, according to the order of the Prime Minister, the Working Group will be coordinated by the Minister of Education and Research, and next week the meeting will take place with the representatives of teachers, students and parents, for the urgent review of the National Plan to Prevent and Combat Violence in Schools.
