Turkey Deploys 31,000 School Guards, Permanent Police at High-Risk Schools

Interior Minister Mustafa Çiftçi and Education Minister Yusuf Tekin signed a school safety protocol in Ankara on Monday, outlining expanded security measures for the new academic year. The plan covers school buildings, routes to school, surrounding businesses, student shuttles, and digital environments.

A central measure is the deployment of 31,000 school garden guards for the first time. They will secure entry and exit points and keep unauthorized persons away from school perimeters, coordinating with school administrations and law enforcement.

“We are obliged to be extremely careful this year, evaluate every tip meticulously, and detect danger before it grows so that we do not experience such pains again.”

Schools have been reclassified by risk level. Permanent police officers will be stationed at first- and second-degree risk schools, while third- and fourth-degree schools will have police liaison officers coordinating with administrators.

Narcotics and child protection units will conduct regular inspections of internet cafes, game halls, and other venues near schools. Minister Çiftçi cited last year's earthquakes in Kahramanmaraş and Şanlıurfa as a driver for the heightened vigilance.

The protocol involves seven ministries, including Justice, Family, Labor, Youth, Interior, Education, and Health. Governors from all 81 provinces attended the launch meeting via video conference.