The Minister for Pre-University Education announces unannounced inspections in schools and a change to the law regarding backpack checks, following two violent incidents

School inspectorates will be asked to carry out unannounced checks concerning access to educational institutions in the immediate period ahead, announced on Thursday, October 22, the delegated minister for Pre-University Education, Sorin Ionescu. The measure follows two incidents involving bladed weapons that occurred in schools over the past 72 hours.

The minister told Euronews Romania that the authorities intend to amend the legislative framework so that security personnel can check students’ backpacks when there are suspicions. The checks will target access by outsiders and by individuals who might display signs of violence.

The announcement was made following the incident at “Armand Călinescu” College in Pitești, where a 15-year-old student allegedly injured a classmate with a machete and physically assaulted another student. Three days earlier, at “Ștefan cel Mare” Secondary School in Bistrița, a teacher and two students were injured.

Sorin Ionescu said that the authorities are concerned about the increase and diversification of acts of violence, as well as students’ motivations. He identified bullying as one of the causes and stressed that teachers must be prepared for prevention and educational intervention. The minister distinguished between immediate measures, which fall under the responsibility of the Police and the Ministry of the Interior, and medium- and long-term solutions in education.