One of our readers drew attention to the problem of the lack of access control at municipal schools and preschools in Bolesławiec. In his opinion, many buildings can be entered without being questioned, showing identification or contacting staff.

Safety standards in schools and preschools

The city spokesperson reports that safety standards are based on various security systems combining technical solutions with organizational procedures.

Intercoms are installed in schools and preschools. If a facility does not have one, entry by outsiders requires staff to be called each time, and the staff member verifies the purpose of the visit.

The facilities also register visitors. Every outsider entering the building must report to the porter’s desk or the secretariat, show identification and sign the entry log. Schools are also equipped with video surveillance in the corridors. The spokesperson also answers the question of security audits at the facilities.

“Under Polish education law (the Ministry of National Education regulation on safety and hygiene in public and non-public schools and institutions), the director of every facility is legally required to conduct a safety inspection at least once a year,” explains Agnieszka Gergont. “The report from this review must be submitted to the managing authority, namely the city office,” the spokesperson adds.

How are building entrances controlled?

All physical entrances to educational buildings are supervised, although the level of supervision varies depending on the type of entrance:

  • Main entrances are fully controlled; they have intercoms or a service employee’s station (porter) nearby.
  • Technical entrances are kept locked and opened when necessary.

What action is taken when an unauthorized person enters?

When an outsider who has bypassed verification is detected, an internal emergency response protocol is activated, involving immediate verification.

“A school employee, such as a porter or teacher, must approach the person, establish the purpose of their visit and order them to leave the premises or escort them to the secretariat,” the spokesperson explains. “If the person behaves aggressively or suspiciously, staff isolate the children in safe rooms—classrooms or other rooms—and call the appropriate services: the police or Municipal Police, using dedicated panic buttons (the so-called ‘silent alarm’) connected to a security agency, or by calling the emergency number 112 directly,” Agnieszka Gergont reports.

In addition, current modernization programs for Bolesławiec’s municipal facilities provide for the continuous improvement of security.

“The planned expansion of the municipal monitoring system is also to cover educational facilities,” the spokesperson explains. “Staff working in educational facilities, as well as students, regularly take part in practical safety exercises, including evacuation drills. Training is also provided for teaching staff and support employees on procedures for responding to emergencies, such as an attacker entering the building and internal ‘lockdown’ procedures, based on the latest standards of the Ministry of National Education and the Ministry of the Interior and Administration,” Agnieszka Gergont reports.