Energy drinks, toys and tools: the Svyridenko Cabinet established a list of prohibited items in educational institutions

Child with toy gun Photo: Getty Images

The government apparatus of Ukraine approved the list of dangerous objects and substances with which stay on the territory is restricted and inside the buildings of general secondary education institutions. The Ministry of Education and Science informs about this.

The list includes, in particular, firearms, pneumatic and bladed weapons (blades, bows, crossbows, knuckleheads, nunchucks, etc.) and their copies (models, figures, devices and toys), ammunition, explosives and pyrotechnic products, devices for shooting rubber bullets, gas sprays, electric shockers, special means (handcuffs, rubber and plastic sticks), tools (hammers, screwdrivers, drills, saws, gas devices), flammable materials, narcotic and psychotropic drugs, alcohol, tobacco products and electronic devices for smoking, devices for using tobacco products without burning them, as well as drinks containing energy.

At the same time, the restriction does not apply to objects that are used in the educational process, economic activity of the school, school museums, as well as during sports and educational events – under the supervision of responsible persons.

The resolution was adopted in order to increase the security of participants in the educational process and to fulfill the requirements of the law on the introduction of security measures in institutions of general secondary education.

Law on preventive measures in schools On September 18, the Parliament of Ukraine approved draft law No. 11543 “On Amendments to the Law of Ukraine “On Comprehensive General Secondary Education”, which strengthens preventive measures in general secondary education institutions. On October 15, the President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelenskyi signed it.

The draft law was submitted on September 2, 2024 by People’s Deputy Yulia Hryshina. It was created in cooperation with the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine, the National Police and the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine. As the Ministry of Education and Science notes, with the entry into force of the changes to the Law, organizers and heads of schools are responsible for the implementation of a number of preventive measures:

• Schools will introduce clear rules for staying on the territory and in the premises of the institution, so that all participants in the educational process feel protected. Each school will approve the rules of entry and stay in it independently – on the basis of standard rules of the Ministry of the Interior and the Ministry of Internal Affairs, which will be developed in the near future.
• Educational institutions must guarantee the mandatory fencing of the territory or the exact definition of its boundaries on the ground, which will reduce the risks of intrusion by outsiders, as well as equip the buildings with alarm buttons. In case of danger, the school will be able to immediately call the police, which significantly increases the level of security.

The law outlines the categories of persons who may be threatening and who are prohibited from entering the school. In particular, these are people:

• in a state of alcohol or drug intoxication;
• those who have dangerous objects or substances with them;
• those who enter with animals, with the exception of guide dogs that help people with disabilities.

The conditions for persons who work in schools or who are involved in the educational process are also strengthened. It is prohibited to engage persons who:

• have an unexpunged or unexpired criminal record;
• found guilty of crimes against sexual freedom or sexual integrity;
• were prosecuted for domestic violence, bullying or neglect of child-rearing duties.

The law also specifies that in public and communal schools, security measures are financed by the organizer or other legal resources, but without the use of funds from students and their parents.