The Cabinet of Ministers of Ukraine has adopted Resolution No. 1288 dated October 15, 2026, officially restricting access by unauthorized persons to protective shelters in schools and kindergartens. The new regulations aim to ensure the primary safety of children and teachers during full-time education while regulating procedures for the shared use of shelters.
New rules for shelter use in educational institutions
According to the adopted document, shelters in preschool institutions are now used exclusively for the protection of the educational process participants — children and staff. In schools during in-person classes, shelters are also designated for students and teachers, though shared use with other citizens is permitted by decision of local executive authorities or local self-government.
The balance holder of the shelter, represented by the founder or head of the educational institution, is required to determine a clear access procedure. Before making a decision on allowing external individuals, an assessment of the possibility of joint use must be conducted, and all relevant information must be published on official web portals.
Safety requirements and zone separation
If local authorities decide on the simultaneous presence of students and other citizens in a school shelter, the school administration is obligated to guarantee the safety of children. Throughout the entire time students remain in the shelter, pedagogical staff, a psychologist, and police or security personnel (if available) must be present.
The regulation requires a clear separation of zones for students and external individuals, and where possible, the allocation of isolated premises for them. Movement paths of different citizen groups must intersect minimally, and separate sanitary facilities must be available for the educational process participants.
Provisions for children with special needs and infrastructure status
Special attention in the rules is given to inclusiveness: for children with special educational needs, shelters must feature a separate room or isolated area. This space is intended for psychological relief and the provision of necessary correctional and developmental services.
According to the Ministry of Education and Science of Ukraine, as of the end of August 2026, about 90% of schools operating in an in-person format are equipped with their own or accessible shelters. 5 billion hryvnias were allocated this year for their arrangement and modernization, enabling the implementation of modern safety standards.
Significance of innovations for the educational process
The restrictions and regulations approved by the Cabinet of Ministers are designed to streamline the operation of educational institutions amid prolonged air raid alerts and an unstable security situation. The clear separation of people flows, mandatory presence of teachers, and security in protective structures will minimize risks and preserve the continuity of the educational process. Going forward, communities and school management will continue adapting shelter logistics to accommodate population needs and children's safety.
