Hundreds of Schools to Be Assessed for Radicalization Risks

The Ministry of Education and Research has launched a public consultation on the draft National Strategy for the Prevention and Combating of Violent Extremism. The document outlines an annual risk assessment process in 100 educational institutions-beginning in 2027-as well as the training of approximately 4,000 school counselors and educational psychologists.

According to the Ministry, the strategy aims to prevent radicalization within the educational environment, equip school staff to identify and manage high-risk situations, promote democratic values, foster critical thinking, and combat disinformation. The draft Government Decision-which concerns both the approval of the strategy and the establishment of an inter-ministerial committee to monitor its implementation-is an initiative of the Prime Minister's Office, the Ministry of Education and Research, and the Ministry of Internal Affairs.

• Risk assessments to begin in 2027

Under the document, starting in 2027, 100 schools will be assessed annually regarding risks associated with radicalization and violent extremism. This process will be supported by school inspectorates, educational resource and assistance centers, the National Authority for the Protection of Child Rights and Adoption, and social welfare departments. The strategy also provides for the training of approximately 4,000 school counselors and educational psychologists, enabling them to identify and manage high-risk situations. Another proposed instrument is the creation of a national network of practitioners, composed primarily of teaching staff, school counselors, and educational psychologists. This network will facilitate the exchange of best practices-including at an international level-monitor developments regarding extremist phenomena within educational institutions, and help support students who have been victims of extremist acts. The network's activities will take place both in person and online.

• Educational resources for teachers, students, and parents

The strategy also proposes the development of open educational resources for teachers, pre-university education staff, students, and parents. These resources are intended to provide tools for identifying and managing situations where a student may be undergoing a process of radicalization that could lead to violent extremism.

The resources may also be used to address these topics during classroom instruction. In parallel, the strategy includes extracurricular educational activities designed to foster critical and analytical thinking. The general objectives of the strategy are to strengthen the capacity of institutions to respond to extremist manifestations, increase societal resilience against extremist ideologies, and bolster defenses against disinformation and extremist propaganda. The draft normative act and related documents have been published by the Ministry of Education and Research as part of the public consultation process.