Belgium’s schools get a security shake-up

The Belgian government is spending millions of euros on measures to keep schools safe from violence. Part of the plan, costing 1.5 million, is earmarked for upgrading school security systems, anti-intrusion measures, fencing, closed-circuit surveillance cameras, improved lighting and electrically operated gates.

The Education Minister, Christian Dupont, said: “We’re also creating a study group for violence to see if this phenomenon is on the rise or not but especially to see whether the measures we’re putting in place, are efficient. I think it’s essential to gauge and check how effective our measures are.” Students are to be offered mediation training so they can help fellow pupils who might be heading for confrontations. School staff will get crisis management training so potentially explosive situations can be defused.More about: Belgium

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