Human rights researchers report that 576 educational facilities in Ukraine were damaged or destroyed in 2024, a significant increase from the previous year. International organization Save the Children stated that thousands of children in Ukraine are now learning online or in underground classrooms due to the attacks on education facilities. Sonia Khush, director of Save the Children in Ukraine, condemned the bombing as "absolutely unacceptable" and called for an immediate halt to the attacks.
https://www.rferl.org/a/ukraine-war-destruction-rebuilding-bakhmut-mariupol-homes-schools/33324085.htmlKeeper Security is urging educational institutions to prioritize cybersecurity due to growing risks of cyber attacks on students and staff. Despite 74% of parents' confidence in their child's school's cybersecurity, only 21% receive guidance on secure password management, leaving many vulnerable. Keeper's Flex Your Cyber initiative aims to provide essential knowledge and resources to schools, including engaging lesson plans and enterprise-grade tools, to defend against evolving threats. Experts recommend measures such as enforcing strong passwords, utilizing a PAM solution, backing up critical data, and implementing regular cybersecurity training to strengthen school security.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/keeper-security-champions-cybersecurity-in-education-on-digital-learning-day-302374251.htmlSweden's government has announced new security measures for schools following the country's worst mass shooting, which left 10 dead. The Education Minister, Johan Pehrson, stated that teachers will have the right to search students' bags without warning at primary and secondary schools and adult education centres. Schools will also be required to have emergency plans in place for violent situations, and access to schools will require keys, door codes or badges, with simplified authorisations for camera surveillance.
https://www.khaleejtimes.com/world/sweden-to-allow-schoolbag-searches-after-mass-shooting-2?utm_source=most-popular-worldTennessee is implementing threat assessment teams, comprising school officials and police, to investigate students displaying "dangerous or threatening behavior." The goal is to prevent problems from escalating into violence by providing additional resources such as counseling and mental health services to troubled students. Melissa Nelson, a school safety consultant, emphasizes the importance of early intervention, stating that her training has equipped thousands of school employees to identify and address potential issues promptly.
https://www.rawstory.com/first-came-the-warning-signs-then-a-teen-opened-fire-on-a-nashville-school/A comprehensive survey of over 500 US-based K-12 administrators found that while schools have made progress in protecting staff accounts, student digital identity protection remains a challenge, with only 5% implementing multi-factor authentication (MFA) for students. The report highlights the need for alternative solutions as traditional security measures like MFA are not practical for young learners who rely on schools to protect their digital footprints. According to Neal Kellogg, Director of Digital Procurement and Data Privacy at Oklahoma City Public Schools, cybersecurity is a team effort that requires comprehensive approaches to address internal and external threats. The report found that 24% of administrators express high confidence in protecting student digital identities, while 29% report increases in student-to-student security incidents. As schools move to restrict student phones, K-12 leaders must develop authentication approaches without depending on personal devices. Clever, a leading education technology company, is working with schools to provide layered security solutions and advance education with technology that works for students everywhere.
https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/new-report-finds-76-of-school-administrators-lack-confidence-in-current-protections-for-student-digital-identities-302370004.htmlFederal Education Minister Jason Clare has tabled the National Higher Education Code to Prevent and Respond to Gender-based Violence in parliament. The code aims to address a concerning trend of gender-based violence on university campuses, as highlighted by a 2022 survey from Universities Australia. According to the survey, one in 20 students reported being sexually assaulted, one in six experienced sexual harassment, and nearly half felt their concerns were not taken seriously when they made a complaint. The new code requires universities to ask job applicants about any previous allegations or investigations related to gender-based violence, bans non-disclosure agreements, and mandates that universities investigate incidents of sexual misconduct at residential colleges.
https://www.smh.com.au/education/campus-creeps-on-notice-with-anti-sexual-violence-code-20250206-p5la78.htmlColorado lawmakers have given initial approval to a bill that would require educators to be notified if one of their students has experienced trauma such as domestic violence, serious accidents or abuse and neglect. The Safe2Tell program, which allows students to anonymously report threats, would notify teachers, counselors and administrators when a student is designated as "handle with care" due to having undergone significant stress. This designation would signal that the student needs extra support. The bill's expansion has been piloted throughout the state and aims to help students work through trauma they face. State Senators Janice Marchman, Lisa Frizell, and Representative Chris Clifford are co-sponsors of the bill, which cleared its first hearing in the Senate Education Committee with a 5-2 vote.
https://www.chalkbeat.org/colorado/2025/02/06/safe2tell-expansion-would-create-handle-with-care-student-designation/California lawmakers are proposing Senate Bill 48, which aims to limit the presence of Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) agents near public schools. The bill's authors, Senators Melissa Rodriguez and Scott Wiener, argue that the measure is necessary to protect students from fear and trauma caused by ICE activity in their communities. If passed, the law would prohibit immigration enforcement activities within 1,000 feet of a school during school hours, effectively creating a "safe zone" around educational institutions.
https://www.cbs8.com/video/news/politics/national-politics/california-lawmakers-advance-bill-to-shield-schools-from-ice-enforcement/509-95e6d97d-ec4d-499d-9dec-730993bf70f8Singapore's Education Minister Chan stressed that his ministry strongly condemns bullying and vigilantism, citing a recent incident at Admiralty Secondary School where students were allegedly assaulted.
https://channelnewsasia.com/watch/st28-amend-parl-pq-ccs-bullying-sot-4916096