October 31, 2023.- The Subdelegate of the Government in Valladolid, Alicia Villar, presents today the activity of the Master Plan for Coexistence and Improvement of Security in the educational centers and their environments that takes place this year 2023-24.
In the past year, about 23,500 students benefited from the program in Valladolid. The agents of the National Police, the Civil Guard and the head of the Unit against Violence against Women of the Government Subdelegation led, in total, 1,093 activities between talks, meetings with management teams, exhibitions, etc. in 131 educational centers in the province.
On the other hand, the National Police and the Civil Guard added 1,656 hours of surveillance of the environment of 115 centers to ensure the safety of students and teaching teams.
Internet, school bullying, alcohol and drugs
Among the topics most demanded by the centers are the risks in the use of the Internet – aimed at 6,935 students – followed by school bullying – 6,338 students – and the consequences of alcohol and drug consumption – 3,212 students.
Road education and the protection of the environment are some of the topics that have been included in the programming of the current course as novelty.
Other topics include talks by police experts on racism, xenophobia, intolerance, hate crimes and violence against women.
As part of the program, the specialized units of the State Security Corps and Forces held 273 meetings with management and teaching teams on the issues that most concern them to guide them in the exercise of teaching and the daily relationship with students. The centers’ parents’ associations also requested the advice of experts from the National Police and the Civil Guard to address some of these issues that affect the lives of their children.
Program open to applications during the course
Centers can apply for participation in the Master Plan at any time during the course, although it is preferred to plan the content in the first quarter so that it can be completed in an organized manner until the end of the course.
Permanent cooperation
Among the objectives of the Master Plan for Coexistence and Improvement of Security in Educational Centers and their Environments, established in 2007, is to provide a coordinated and effective response to issues related to the safety of children and young people - in the school and its environment - and to strengthen permanent cooperation between police experts, educational authorities, educational community and families, in favor of coexistence and security in the school environment.
This fluid relationship helps to prevent, detect and resolve possible episodes of violence, harassment or other criminal acts that may affect students, teachers and the school community. In addition, co-responsibility in the reporting of infringements is encouraged.
Rejection and reporting of violent behaviour
Through these talks, students become aware of the need to eradicate violent behaviors and develop attitudes of rejection and denunciation of these behaviors. They also know what resources society puts at their disposal to help them.
The Master Plan improves children’s awareness of police resources to prevent crime and protect victims and of public safety issues that affect bullying, youth gangs, access to drugs and alcohol, hooliganism, xenophobia or racism.
On the other hand, the programme has improved police surveillance in the immediate vicinity of schools, where necessary.
The subdelegate was accompanied in this presentation by the director of the High Inspection Area of Education of the Subdelegation and coordinator of the Master Plan in Castilla y León, Santiago Esteban; the colonel head of the Civil Guard Command in Valladolid, Andrés Manuel Velarde; the provincial commissioner head of the National Police in Valladolid, Francisco Javier Oterino, and the provincial director of Education, Agustina García.