Safety Week begins in Latvian schools and other educational institutions

Safety Week has begun in educational institutions across Latvia, with schools and other establishments encouraged not only to discuss safety issues but also to test in practice how to act in various crisis situations. The initiative comes from the Ministry of Education and Science (IZM), the State Education Development Agency (VIAA) and the State Fire and Rescue Service (VUGD). The plan is for Safety Week to be held every year from now on.

Skills, not just knowledge

The ministry stresses that safety starts with knowledge, but knowledge alone is not enough. It is important to build the ability to act and to rehearse one's response in good time and on a regular basis. Institutions may therefore choose the activities that best suit their needs and the age of their students. Children and young people, teachers, staff and parents are invited to take part.

Inta Ozola, director of the VIAA, says Safety Week is a chance to check how well prepared institutions are and to identify what can still be improved. She points to the shared goal of protecting children, young people and school staff in difficult conditions and, as far as possible, keeping the educational process running.

Continuity plans

The ministry particularly urges institutions to test their business continuity plans in practice. They should make sure staff, pupils and parents know what to do in various crisis situations, that notification and communication procedures are set, and that the resources and solutions needed to continue teaching are in place.

Institutions may organise, for example, evacuation drills, inspections of safe places and evacuation routes, trial responses to a power outage or another threat, checks of the communication chain, and mapping of local risks.

Materials for schools

To help with preparation, the ministry, the VIAA and the VUGD, together with partners, have compiled an information booklet with educational lessons, practical scenario simulations, teaching materials and videos. The partners include the Ministry of Climate and Energy, the Centre for Disease Prevention and Control, the Latvian Safer Internet Centre, the utility company Sadales tīkls, the State Police, the Children's Protection Centre and the Emergency Medical Service.

The framework for the resilience and continuity of the education system, along with a sample continuity plan for an institution, is available on the ministry's website.