Essen's 'School as a Safe Place' Initiative Boosts Security with Structural Upgrades and Teacher Training
Essen's city council has approved the 'School as a Safe Place' concept, aiming to bolster security in local schools. The initiative, launched in July, will initially focus on 14 schools during a copilot phase, with two main types of measures set to be implemented: structural-technical upgrades and preventive-educational programs.
The structural-technical measures involve equipping 682 doors across 14 schools with lock cylinders featuring turn knobs. This will enable quick and secure locking in case of danger. Additionally, external signage at these schools will be optimized to aid emergency services in locating the premises. The total cost for these measures is approximately 405,000 euros.
The preventive-educational measures include two key programs. Firstly, teacher training in violence prevention programs will commence, with 21 schools participating in the copilot phase. Around 20 teachers per school will receive training. Secondly, the theater-pedagogical program 'My Body Belongs to Me' will be funded comprehensively for all third-grade classes at elementary and special schools in Essen. The effectiveness of these measures will be evaluated annually, with the possibility of adding further measures based on the results.
The 'School as a Safe Place' concept in Essen is underway, with the first phase focusing on 14 schools. The initiative aims to create a secure learning environment through structural improvements and educational programs. The city has allocated around 405,000 euros for the pilot phase, with ongoing evaluation and potential expansion planned.
