New Security Measures in Schools: X-Ray and Cameras Active

Following the school attacks in Şanlıurfa and Kahramanmaraş, a circular titled 'Security Measures for Schools and Their Surroundings' was sent to governorates, police departments, gendarmerie, and ministries, signed by the Minister of Interior, Mustafa Çiftçi. The circular outlined the security inspections to be implemented in schools. All schools will install security cameras and entry and exit will be controlled through a single gate. Here are the details for the new term in schools.The new directive published by the Ministry of Interior takes security standards in schools to the highest level. This comprehensive regulation, entitled 'Security Measures in Schools and Their Surroundings', has been sent to all governorates and security units, outlining the precautions to be taken. According to the directive, all entrances and exits in schools will be brought under control.The circular contained the following statements concerning school entrances and exits:'Physical barriers (walls, wire fences, etc.) surrounding schools will be inspected and any deficiencies will be addressed, ensuring that all entries and exits for students and visitors are conducted through a single, controlled gate by closing any additional gates that are not necessary. Signs of violent tendencies, threatening language, control issues, aggressive behavior patterns either physically or verbally, and risk indicators emerging in digital platforms will be carefully monitored, with early warning and intervention mechanisms effectively implemented.In dealing with and referring students who are thought to be in the risk group, parental cooperation and inter-institutional coordination will be ensured, and necessary monitoring, evaluation, and follow-up mechanisms will be established. Primarily, effective implementation of developmental and preventive guidance activities will be ensured to support students' development and to reduce risk factors that could negatively affect them.Efforts to strengthen families in child development will be increased. Digital wellness activities aimed at enhancing the skills of students, teachers, and parents against digital risks will be expanded.”The measures to be taken in schools are as follows:All schools will activate their camera systems, and any missing points will be promptly completed. In necessary situations, item control and technical security devices will be used.The strict compliance of coffeehouses, game rooms, and alcohol-serving establishments within 100 meters of schools will be rigorously monitored.In planning security measures for schools and their surroundings, a risk analysis-based approach will be the guiding principle, focusing on the effective coordination of protective and preventive security measures and early warning mechanisms.A swift and continuous information-sharing coordination based on school management, law enforcement, local administrations, health and social service units will be established.Security planning will not be limited to physical measures alone; it will be built on a multi-layered structure that includes physical security, human factors (students/staff/parents), digital environment (social media and cyber space), and institutional processes.In collaboration with school administrations, violent behavioral changes, social adaptation problems, and risks that could be posed by social media threats will be evaluated as early warning indicators with the aim of identifying potential risks before they occur.The safety of students will not only be physical but also psychological, with the active involvement of guidance and psychological support systems against peer bullying, exclusion, violent tendencies, and traumatic situations included in the safe school approach.Threats that can arise from social media and digital platforms, tendencies towards radicalization, and imitation behaviors will be regularly monitored and evaluated as part of the security approach.Security planning and risk classifications will be updated periodically in a dynamic structure according to new types of threats, event analyses, and field data.School security will be planned considering the dynamic structure of the tendencies of security risks based on the analysis of events that occur, the physical spaces of the school and its surroundings, and different types of threats (radicalization, exclusion, psychiatric disorders, etc.).The physical security of school spaces and their surroundings will be classified into two main areas of responsibility, 'inside school areas' and 'outside school surrounding areas', based on the physical measures to be implemented, and security measures specific to these areas will be planned and implemented separately.Measures will be developed to involve parents, teachers, and students as active stakeholders in the security system.The physical security measures to be increased in relation to the issue are as follows:The inspections for the mandatory requirement of public places such as coffeehouses, reading rooms, bars, electronic game centers, and places selling open alcoholic beverages to be at least 100 meters away from school buildings door to door will be increased.Patrol activities for park areas located around schools will be increased, especially for those considered risky in terms of drug use and different types of crime, and the installation of security camera and lighting systems will be ensured in coordination with law enforcement units and in cooperation with local administrations.Derelict buildings and structures that pose a risk in terms of the educational environment around schools will be promptly demolished by Municipalities/Provincial Special Administrations.Street vendors will not be allowed to sell in front of and around schools, and the activities of businesses located around the school will be closely monitored to take necessary measures to prevent the sale of addictive substances to children and increase inspections.People who have no connection with the school and who are considered a danger in terms of education and student safety will be prevented from waiting and gathering in front of and around schools, and necessary procedures will be carried out for them.In schools where there are no places for service vehicles to wait, the service waiting areas will be jointly determined by the school administration and law enforcement units, and private vehicles will not be allowed to enter the school garden.Traffic arrangements in front of and around schools will be examined by our traffic units and additional measures will be planned, and the deficiencies identified in these areas (traffic signs and signs, railings, overpasses, etc.) will be completed in coordination with the relevant institutions and organizations.'Increased law enforcement measures and inspections:In schools across the country, priority will be given to the 'School Law Enforcement Officer' to serve permanently in schools with high priority degrees according to the updated priority degrees considering risk factors, and the 'Safe Education Coordination Officer' who will be in constant communication with the school administration in other schools.Law enforcement visibility will be increased during school entry and exit hours; if needed according to the security priorities of the schools, a motorized team or foot patrol will be assigned at a point outside the school garden gate, in constant contact with the school administration, capable of intervening.Patrols and inspections will be intensified in blind spots around the school, derelict buildings, parks, internet cafes, game rooms, and routes where students are densely located.The capacity of our cyber units will be strengthened and emphasis will be placed on cyber patrol activities, dangers on the internet and shares made from social media accounts will be carefully followed and necessary procedures will be carried out for those constituting a crime.Joint studies with school administrations will be increased to prevent children and young people from accessing firearms or similar dangerous tools; field inspections, intelligence studies, and risk-focused applications will be increased; awareness studies will be conducted for parents who have a carrying or possession license, and the struggle against unlicensed weapons will be carried out without compromise'.Measures to be implemented for psychological support:Violent tendencies, threat language, control problems, aggressive behavior patterns physically or verbally, and risk signs emerging in digital media will be carefully monitored, and early warning and early intervention mechanisms will be effectively operated.When intervention and referral studies are carried out for students thought to be in the risk group, coordination between institutions will be ensured with parent cooperation, and necessary monitoring, evaluation, and follow-up mechanisms will be established.To support the development of students and reduce risk factors that may affect them negatively, it will be ensured that developmental and preventive guidance studies are carried out effectively.Studies related to strengthening families in children's development will be increased.Digital well-being studies aimed at increasing the skills of students, teachers, and parents against digital risks will be popularized.In the aftermath of violent incidents, school security will be promptly provided to create a healthy educational environment, and psychosocial support services for students, teachers, and parents affected by the incident will be maintained'.Cybersecurity measures:Threat content targeting the school, student, and staff in the internet environment will be monitored by school administrations in terms of regular complaints and by law enforcement units in terms of cyber detections.Immediate notification will be made to all relevant units when cyberbullying, violence content, and target showing on social media are detected.Risky digital trends will be analyzed within the scope of open source intelligence.Cybersecurity awareness training will be organized for students and teachers.Cyberbullying and digital ethics, safe internet use, personal data security, suspicious content, and fraud issues will be included in the cyber awareness training scope.A cyber incident response procedure will be established in schools.A quick notification mechanism (school administration + law enforcement) will be established for use in suspicious situations.Cyber incidents that can be detected from open sources or reported by the school administration will be recorded and an incident database will be created.Schools will work in coordination with law enforcement units and relevant public institutions on cybersecurity.Cybersecurity measures will be periodically inspected and updated.A school-based cybersecurity plan will be prepared according to risk analyses.Violent tendencies and radicalization indicators that emerge in the digital environment will be evaluated within the scope of early warning.The obtained data will be integrated into the school security risk analysis system.On the other hand, the Minister of National Education, Yusuf Tekin, stated, 'We are re-evaluating each of our schools, which are over 60 thousand in total across Turkey, in all aspects, from detectors to x-ray devices, from the construction process of the school to its physical features.'

New Era for School Safety: X-Ray Machines and Surveillance Systems Announced

The new term is kicking off in schools: Security measures have been established.

Entry and exit to the school will be facilitated through a single gate.

Every school will be equipped with security cameras and X-ray machines.

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