INTERAGENCY PARTNERSHIP BETWEEN THE MINISTRY OF EDUCATION AND SCIENCE AND THE MINISTRY OF INTERNAL AFFAIRS OF UKRAINE IN CREATING A SAFE EDUCATIONAL ENVIRONMENT UNDER MARTIAL LAW

Abstract

The article substantiates the legal and organizational foundations of interagency partnership between the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine and the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine in building a safe educational environment under martial law. It traces regulatory development from the Concept of Safety of Educational Institutions to the government pilot project, the establishment of the Educational Safety Service and the statutory consolidation of school protection measures. The partnership model is examined as a coordinated distribution of responsibilities: the education authority shapes policy and coordinates implementation, while the Ministry of Internal Affairs, the National Police and the State Emergency Service perform law-enforcement, preventive, emergency-response and educational functions. Particular attention is paid to the legal status of an Educational Safety Officer, the limits of police competence and cooperation with school administrators, teachers, learners, parents and local authorities. A police presence at school is viewed not as intensified administrative control, but as an element of a risk-based system for early identification of threats, protection of children’s rights and confidence building. The proposed performance criteria include reduction of dangerous incidents, response time, quality of joint protocols, trust among participants in the educational process, accessibility of safety measures and compliance with the best interests of the child. The article stresses the need to distinguish law-enforcement, guarding and pedagogical functions, prevent excessive securitization of schools, and maintain child-friendly and inclusive communication. Recommendations concern clearer powers, scenario-based training, proportionate information exchange and independent evaluation.