Schools must prepare continuity plans by October

Schools in Latvia must prepare and regularly update business continuity plans under new rules for responding to crises and threats, LSM reported.

This is the first school year in which the rules have been introduced. Each educational institution must develop, maintain and regularly update a plan to ensure coordinated action during a crisis or threat.

The framework for the resilience and operational continuity of the education system was approved by the Ministry of Education and Science on Wednesday. A draft plan has also been prepared for school leaders to adapt to their own institutions.

The issue gained attention this spring when Latvian language examinations for ninth-graders were suspended in 10 municipalities following drone incidents in Latvian airspace. At the time, the ministry prepared guidelines for action during examinations, while municipalities developed their own plans for continuing the learning process during a threat.

Gunta Lāce, head of Limbaži State Gymnasium, said the school had identified safe locations in the spring when its leadership began considering possible threats. The school also consulted the municipality’s civil protection officer and later discussed the issue with teachers and parents.

“The school leadership is gradually understanding what needs to be considered,” Lāce said, adding that she also expected support from the state, particularly on the division of responsibilities.

She said schools needed guidance on what to do if parents came to collect their children during a threat. She also raised the question of how to ensure that no child left the school alone during a storm or another dangerous situation, as well as how the school should communicate with parents.

Inta Ozola, head of the State Education Development Agency, said every institution would have to prepare a continuity plan and check and update it at least once a year.

The plans must identify possible risks, responsible people, communication channels, required resources and procedures for adapting the learning process. The draft plan is intended to be customised by each institution.