Nikolai Makhinko stands at the school checkpoint, waiting for his first grader after classes. He knows that the school security officer is on duty there.
«This is a very good idea, because the safety of my child at school is important to me. Misha has already told me about the work of the police. They conduct lessons and explanations. Our family supports such initiatives,» the father says.
20 schools in the city have participated in a pilot project that will last until the end of the school year. The schools were selected by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs. School security officers started working in January.
«This is part of the Educational Safety Service project. Currently, 20 schools in the city are participating in this pilot project, which will last until the end of the school year. The schools were selected by the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the National Police,» says Tatiana Bychkova, head of the Department of Life Safety and Social Protection at the Department of Humanitarian Policy of the DGS.
The main thing for the school administration is to explain to the students that the school officer is a friend and protector. They have separate powers, including ensuring access control so that outsiders do not enter the school premises, and conducting checks for suspicious items.
«We participate in practical drills for the ‘Air Alarm’ signal. We also accompany and monitor the movement of everyone to the shelter during an air alert. We take measures in case of an attack or risk of an attack on the school, etc.,» says Anna Myrtvyanskaya, an officer of the Educational Safety Service.
In addition, school security officers inform relevant authorities and services about emergencies if they occur.
