Schools in Tartu, Estonia, are taking steps to enhance safety against potential drone threats due to concerns stemming from the nearby Russian border and the ongoing conflict in Ukraine. Reports indicate that Ukrainian drones, which have occasionally strayed into Estonian airspace carrying explosives intended for Russian targets, have raised alarm among local authorities.
This past spring, Tartu schools received directives to send students to shelters following the detection of a drone approaching from the border. Karin Lukk, principal of Kivilinna Secondary School, admitted that the staff was unprepared and anxious during the incident, noting that the students did not go to shelters as they had not been trained for such emergencies and there were no designated spaces for them.
In response, educational institutions in Tartu are now preparing safe spaces, including gymnasiums and swimming pools, for students to take refuge in case of future threats. Lukk pointed out that in Ukraine, more individuals have perished from shattered glass due to explosions than from the blasts themselves. Consequently, protective film is being installed on windows of designated shelters to safeguard children from flying debris in the event of an explosion nearby.
Safety Drills and Security Films for Enhanced Protection
Additionally, Lukk’s school is organizing drills to instruct students on how to respond to drone alerts. To keep children engaged while they are sheltered, activities such as games and reading materials will be provided.
Airin Treiman Kiveste, a mother of an 11-year-old student, remarked, “In the world we live in today, preparations are essential,” emphasizing that such measures make it easier for children to cope.
As part of the enhancement strategy, 30 schools and 38 kindergartens in Tartu are undergoing security upgrades, with backup generators being distributed to residential buildings to ensure heating during potential power outages, according to Vice Mayor Martin Bek.
