In the context of growing concerns about student safety in schools, the city of Bucharest is facing numerous challenges and initiatives aimed at ensuring a safe and secure educational environment. Although the situation may vary from school to school and from school to school, there are sustained efforts to improve security conditions and promote a climate conducive to learning.

The current security situation in terms of crime

Unfortunately, many schools in Bucharest are facing safety issues such as petty crime, harassment or conflict between students. Nationally, in the first 3 months of this year alone, 48% more cases of violence were reported in schools compared to the same period last year. There has also been a worrying increase in physical bullying this year compared to 2023. In the first 3 months of 2024, more than 45% of students who sought help said they had been victims of physical abuse, compared to 11.4%, the percentage last year.

What's more, the safety of children in Bucharest schools (and beyond) also seems to be jeopardized in terms of the use of banned substances. From year to year, the number of users is increasing alarmingly, while the average age of users is falling. This year, a child as young as 8 ended up in hospital because of substance abuse. At regional level, regardless of the type of drug used, the highest prevalence of drug use is in the Bucharest/Ilfov region.

All these incidents can affect not only the health and well-being of students, but also their school performance and engagement in the educational process.

Safety measures in place

To address these problems, local authorities and educational institutions have adopted a number of proactive measures. These include:

1. Surveillance and security: many schools have increased the presence of security staff and installed surveillance systems to monitor activities on the premises.

2. Crime prevention programs: schools run educational and counseling programs to prevent antisocial behavior and promote respect and understanding among students.

3. Community partnerships: collaboration between schools, parents, police and other community organizations is essential to create a safe and supportive environment for students.

4. Infrastructure upgrades: Improving school infrastructure to enhance security, such as installing alarm and access control systems, is another important measure implemented in Bucharest schools. 

The role of parents and the community

Parents and the local community play a crucial role in ensuring safety in schools. Monitoring children's behavior at home and in the community, supporting school curricula and communicating with authorities and teachers are key factors in promoting a safe environment for students.

The current state of safety in relation to natural phenomena 

Moreover, beyond crime issues, the safety of pupils can also be jeopardized by natural phenomena. Of the more than 35,000 school buildings, 45 are classified at risk I, meaning they could fall in a major earthquake.

In Bucharest, in seismic risk class I are: Liceul Teoretic Bilingv Miguel Cervantes Bucharest, Liceul Teoretic Nicolae Iorga, Grădinița "101 dalmațieni" - two buildings, Liceul Tehnologic de Metrologie "Traian Vuia" - two buildings, Avram Iancu Secondary School, Secondary School 308, Secondary School - 96, Colegiul Tehnic de Poștă și Telecomunicații Gherghe Airinei - two buildings.

The list of buildings classified/not classified in a seismic risk class will be published every Friday, with updates throughout the week, on the Ministry of Education website.

Safety in schools is a constant concern and requires continuous efforts from all actors involved. Through collaboration and commitment, the Bucharest community can create a safe and nurturing educational environment for all students, contributing to their long-term success and well-being.

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