School security in focus: crisis plans for safer learning places!

School security in focus: crisis plans for safer learning places!

In the current discussion about security at schools, it becomes clear that the topic in Austria receives special attention after a killing spree in Graz. Bodai, a school representative, is critical of this and realizes that additional safety measures such as turnstile or security staff at the entrances are not bad in principle, but their feasibility remains questionable. Kleine Zeitung continues that the current staff are often insufficient to ensure that pupils come in time, especially in large schools in the Early.

Another important topic is skepticism about radical measures such as armed security personnel and entrance locks. Kimberger emphasizes that these would probably not prevent serious incidents. Rather, the sensitization of the students for conspicuous people in the school building is emphasized as a more important factor. Bodai explains that the design of schools must be covered as safe places or as open learning environments.

emergency plans and crisis teams

The question of crisis plans is also taken up in the discussion about school emergencies. In recent years, these have increasingly focused on schools from different federal states. In Vienna there is a special decree on crisis situations in schools that covers various emergencies. Specifically, the educational directorate has sent a letter to school management to rethink existing emergency plans. Schools have the opportunity to take additional security measures in consultation with school quality managers. Here the crisis team takes on a centralized role.

The by Ministry of Culture Baden-Württembergs Seried joint administrative regulations on schools in emergencies and crisis events stipulate that the schools create specific crisis plans and have to set up internal crisis teams. These teams are responsible for ensuring security and aftercare in emergencies and offer an important contact point for school management and teachers.

protective measures and psychosocial support

The Berliner School Act also require the establishment of crisis teams whose tasks include violence and crisis prevention as well as aftercare in an emergency. The teams consist of five to eight members and should work regularly and proactively. In the event of acute emergencies, they can be convened at short notice to support the school management in the crisis management.

Bodai adds that regular scenarios were practiced at the Graz School, where the killing spree took place, were practiced as part of fire protection exercises. Students often ask questions about what to do in the event of a killing spree, and his observations indicate that many have already instinctively react correctly.

Overall, it can be seen that security at schools is a multi -layered topic that includes both structural and preventive and after -care measures. The sensitization of everyone involved remains one of the central challenges in school policy.