The government announces seven measures to prevent and combat violence in schools

The government has decided on seven urgent measures to prevent and combat violence in schools, following two attacks with bladed weapons occurring within four days in Bistrița and Pitești. The decisions were made on Friday, October 23, as part of the Working Group convened by Prime Minister Luca Niculescu.

The plan provides for increased security at the entrances and on the premises of educational institutions, the introduction of additional surveillance and control measures, the revision of security plans, and the operationalization of a rapid response mechanism. This mechanism will bring together representatives of the ministries of Education, Internal Affairs, Health, and Labour.

The government also announces an increase in the number of school psychological counselors and the training of teachers to identify risks of violence and radicalization at an early stage. More severe penalties are also planned for assaults against students and teaching staff, along with amendments to legislation on prohibited objects in schools and the launch of a media campaign.

The statement does not specify how many security guards and counselors will be hired, what budget will be allocated, or when the measures will become operational. Nor does it detail the responsibilities of the rapid response mechanism or the legislative amendments under consideration.

The decisions come after, on October 19, a student from Bistrița attacked a teacher with a knife and injured a classmate, while on October 22, a student from Pitești injured two classmates with a machete. A meeting with teachers, students, and parents is scheduled for next week to revise the National Plan for Preventing and Combating Violence in Schools.