Calls to the emergency line and scared children. Police investigate failures during attack simulations in schools
The Slovak police are investigating incidents where children were present during school attack simulations, which were intended solely for teachers.
The Slovak police's preventive campaign called 'Break the Silence' aims to prepare schools for potential armed attacks by training teachers on how to respond effectively. Recently, it has come to light that there were significant failures during these simulations, specifically that in at least two instances, children were present and unaware that the events were mere drills and not actual assaults. This situation raised serious concerns regarding the safety measures and protocols that were supposed to be in place during these training sessions.
Ministers Matúš Šutaj Eštok and Tomáš Drucker announced the national campaign 'Break the Silence – Safe in Schools' in November 2025, highlighting the program as a comprehensive approach to prevent bullying and enhance crisis preparedness in educational institutions. In their remarks, they underscored the necessity of the campaign in light of tragedies such as the armed attack in Spišská Stará Ves earlier that year. The goal of the initiative is to foster an environment where risks related to violence are openly discussed and addressed, ensuring that educators and students alike can navigate such scenarios safely and effectively.
Following the reported incidents, the police confirmed they are investigating both cases where children inadvertently participated in simulations that were meant strictly for adults. This has prompted a re-evaluation of safety protocols within the training programs and raises questions about the adequacy of communication and preparation given to educators involved. The findings from this investigation could have significant implications for future training initiatives, particularly regarding the inclusion or exclusion of students during crisis preparations.