The first 17 security specialists start their work in schools, - Denis Monastyrsky
School today is the most important of the safety focuses in the community. Safety specialists in the educational environment will ensure that children descend into shelters on time during air alarms, as well as teach children the rules of safe behavior. This was stated by the Minister of Internal Affairs Denis Monastyrsky during the presentation of certificates to specialists in security in the educational environment who have completed their training.
“The issue of security is no less important than the issue of our victory, these are directly related things. The development of the project began a year ago, but it will be modified according to the conditions of the time. This project will live when there is interaction with local communities and an understanding of why it is needed by the state, the community and international partners. And here all the components are. The continuation of the project will definitely be. Those schools and communities that will have such safety educators will have a better chance to teach safely,” said Denis Monastyrsky.
He also noted that the first 17 specialists on security in the educational environment will travel to different regions of Ukraine, to 17 communities.
“What does a safety educator or security specialist do? He looks at how shelters in schools will work so that children go down there during anxieties. He will teach children the basic rules of handling explosive objects, traffic rules, how to counteract bullying,” noted Denis Monastyrsky.
The project “Specialist for safety in the educational environment” was implemented by the Ministry of Internal Affairs together with the United Nations Children's Fund (UNICEF) in Ukraine. Head of Mission Murat Shahin noted that safety in the educational environment was very important before the war, and during the war, the importance of security increased.
“The mission of releasing the first cohort of security specialists is very important in these conditions. I am confident that you will be agents of change in communities, and the project will scale up,” Murat Shahin said.
“There is a war on the territory of our country, so in case of any threat, we must act in a coordinated manner and work ahead. Especially when it comes to the safety of our children. The security specialist in the educational environment is the link between the educational institution, the community and the state. We already have 17 ready specialists who will help schools interact with police and rescuers in order to create the safest possible learning conditions,” said Deputy Head of the Ministry of Internal Affairs Kateryna Pavlichenko.
She noted that a large team from various departments, including the Ministry of Education, worked on the development of a training and thematic plan for future security specialists.
The head of the National Police Igor Klymenko stressed that when talking about a safe environment at school, we mean not only the school itself, but also the school territory, roads, shops and the task of the safety educator to provide a safe environment for the child:
“The children of our country deserve attention and security. And we must all ensure this security. The 9 regions that joined the project are advanced regions. And the people who volunteered to become security educators took on a great responsibility. After all, the country that will emerge after the war will be rebuilt by our children, who are now studying in secondary and high school,” said Igor Klymenko.
The head of the State Emergency Service of Ukraine Serhiy Kruk stressed that safety in the educational process is a priority today. And such specialists are extremely valuable.
“Security educators, these first specialists, whose experience is extremely valuable for communities, for Ukraine, for our foreign colleagues,” Serhiy Kruk said.
Training of security specialists in the educational environment took place on the basis of the National Academy of Internal Affairs of Ukraine. They lasted two weeks in face-to-face form and will continue for another two weeks remotely.
“The teachers and specialists who taught us invested a lot in our education. They took the process very seriously. This profession ensures the safety of the child in the educational environment, in society. Our task is communication with the State Emergency Service, the National Police, for example, to prevent children from buying alcohol, in order to reduce the risks to children in public places,” says security specialist Sergey Vlasenko.
Among the tasks facing safety educators are also the prevention of bullying, the creation of a safe environment for children and its continuous improvement.
Department of Communications of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine
