The Education Ombudsman called on communities to step up security at school shelters

Education Ombudsman Nadiya Leshchyk called on local governments to provide schools that operate as shelters and “Points of Resilience” with additional security guards or other security personnel.

According to her, the operation of shelters and “Points of Resilience” places additional responsibilities on educational institutions, especially as they prepare for the challenging winter season.

“Schools house shelters, which are accessible to the public outside of school hours, as well as ‘Points of Resilience.’ This creates additional responsibilities for the administrators and staff of educational institutions,” Leshchyk noted.

The Ombudsman emphasized that security guards or security personnel—not teachers or other educational staff—should be responsible for maintaining a presence in such facilities.

“I urge communities to immediately provide educational institutions equipped with shelters and/or ‘Resilience’ centers with additional security guard positions and/or other security personnel,” she stated.

According to Leshchyk, this will simultaneously ensure the safety of those involved in the educational process during classes and the normal operation of shelters and “Resilience Points” for community residents when needed.

Source: Nadiya Leshchyk, Education Ombudsman.

On the night of July 30, during a massive Russian missile attack, Kyiv residents complained that they were unable to access shelters at metro stations. According to eyewitnesses, some entrances were closed before the air raid siren sounded, and at certain stations, people were turned away due to overcrowding.

In Mykolaiv, plans are in place to organize the new school year with the security situation in mind. Due to constant Russian attacks, classes may be held entirely in shelters, with instruction taking place in two shifts, and the start of classes may be moved to 7:30 a.m.