Essen's 'Safe School' Plan Approved: Structural & Educational Measures for 21 Schools
Essen's city council has approved the 'School as a Safe Place' concept to enhance school safety. The first measures include structural and educational prevention strategies, with an annual evaluation and potential expansion based on results. The initial phase involves 21 schools and costs around 406,000 euros.
The structural-technical measures include equipping 14 schools with improved external signage and 14 schools with 682 doors fitted with lock cylinders, enabling quick locking in case of danger. This will cost approximately 147,400 euros. Additionally, two preventive-educational measures are being implemented: teacher training in violence prevention programs and the prevention of sexualized violence in primary schools. Around 20 teachers per school, totaling 420 teachers, will participate in the violence prevention program. The theater-pedagogical program 'My Body Belongs to Me' will also be permanently funded for all third-grade classes at elementary and special schools in Essen. The total costs for these educational measures amount to around 258,600 euros.
The 'School as a Safe Place' concept aims to create a secure learning environment. The initial phase focuses on structural improvements and teacher training, with further measures to be added based on annual evaluations. The city of Essen is investing around 406,000 euros in this pilot phase, with the potential for expansion in the future.
