The Ministry of Education, Science, Culture and Sports of the Una-Sana Canton has issued an instruction on security measures in primary and secondary schools in the territory of that canton, which came into force at the beginning of the second semester of the 2024/2025 school year. The aim of the measures is to ensure the safety of students, teachers and staff in school institutions.
The instruction stipulates that the entrance doors of all schools must be locked during all working hours, with the mandatory installation of security locks, intercoms, public address systems and video surveillance, if they have not already been installed. The duty will be carried out by auxiliary and technical staff, and the entry of parents and other persons into the school will be possible only with prior notification by phone or e-mail.
Also, students will not be able to leave the school building during short breaks, while they will be required to remain in the school yard during long breaks. Parents are required to provide snacks for children in schools that do not have a kitchen or organized snack sales.
“During the holidays, it is important that students stay within the school grounds and school buildings, and not outside them, in places that are not appropriate for our children,” says Denis Osmankić, Minister of Education of the Una-Sana Canton, emphasizing that safety is a priority.
Schools are also required to form a crisis team, consisting of a principal, pedagogue, psychologist, social worker, school board president and parent council president, with a two-year mandate. The teams will be responsible for responding to cases of unacceptable behavior and other crisis situations.
“This instruction was not issued by chance, but in response to a series of events during 2024 that prompted us to take concrete action,” said Osmankić, adding that the Ministry will monitor its implementation and work to improve the mental health of students and school staff.
Although some parents are upset about the new measures, considering them too restrictive, the minister calls for cooperation.
“The instruction is clear and necessary. I invite parents to get involved in the process so that together we can ensure the safety of our children and staff,” appeals Osmankić.
He added that it is to be expected that the instruction will undergo changes and adjustments in the future in terms of improvements and improvements, all in accordance with the needs of schools and safety standards.
