Security planning for educational settings in Russia is slated to take a more concrete shape beginning in 2025, with anti-terrorism exercises to be carried out in kindergartens and secondary schools. The announcement came from Alexander Bugaev, the First Deputy Minister of Education, during discussions reported by Radio 1. The statements underscore a widening approach to safeguarding schools and kindergartens, emphasizing proactive drills as part of a broader safety framework.
These plans were outlined during parliamentary sessions focused on security in educational institutions and the assessment of current problems along with recommendations for improvements. The discussions were organized by the State Duma Committee on Family Protection, Paternity, Motherhood and Childhood Issues, signaling a cross‑agency effort to embed security measures within the daily life of schools and early childhood facilities. The goal is to ensure that safety protocols are tested and refined in real time, with close coordination between the education ministry and security agencies.
Bugaev clarified that starting in 2025, the committee, together with the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the Ministry of Emergency Situations, and the Federal Security Service, will initiate a program of anti-terrorism security exercises across educational institutions. The emphasis is on practical readiness: drills designed to mirror possible threat scenarios, train staff and students, and reinforce the effectiveness of communication and evacuation procedures in real-world conditions.
In parallel, discussions touched on digital literacy as a core component of safety education. Anton Nemkin, a member of the State Duma Committee on Information Policy, Information Technologies and Communications, noted that in Russian schools there are plans to expand digital literacy lessons. The objective is to equip students with the skills to recognize fraud, manipulation, and tactics used by attackers. While several schools already offer cyber literacy courses, the plan calls for making these programs more systematic and integrated into the regular curriculum to improve resilience against online and offline scams alike.
Additional remarks referenced ongoing efforts to modernize the school environment while keeping pace with evolving safety challenges. The broader narrative emphasizes that safeguarding students requires a combination of physical security drills, cyber awareness, and robust coordination among national agencies. While the exact methods may vary by region, the overarching intent is clear: education facilities should operate with a heightened sense of security, prepared to respond quickly, coherently, and confidently when emergencies arise. The commitment to continuous evaluation and improvement reflects a long-term strategy to protect students, teachers, and school staff while maintaining a stable and conducive learning atmosphere.