Cătălin Predoiu announces school safety measures ahead of new academic year

Romania’s authorities are preparing targeted safety measures for the 2026-27 school year, with drugs, violence and online crime listed among the main threats to students.

Interior Minister Cătălin Predoiu chaired a meeting at the Interior Ministry on Wednesday. Education Minister Mihai Dimian, representatives of the Health and Labor ministries, and officials from other relevant institutions also attended.

The officials reviewed the previous school year and identified risks requiring attention in the new one. These include violence in schools, drug use and trafficking, accidents near school buildings, student transportation, missing children, child victimization online, fire safety and emergency response.

Predoiu said authorities did not intend to place police officers and gendarmes permanently inside schools. “We are not seeking a permanent presence inside schools, which would not be appropriate, but we do want to increase safety around them and be present where risks exist, to prevent incidents and respond quickly when needed,” he said.

The Interior Ministry outlined five main areas of action. Police and gendarmerie units will adjust their deployments to each community’s risks, using information from the electronic school safety register. Authorities also plan to expand a pilot program involving canine teams near schools, continue checks on school transport and driver training, and intensify efforts against disappearances, trafficking, child victimization and online crime. Existing programs with students, teachers, parents and partner organizations will continue.

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We are not seeking a permanent presence inside schools, which would not be appropriate, but we do want to increase safety around them and be present where risks exist, to prevent incidents and respond quickly when needed.