Government sets rules for third-party access to school and kindergarten shelters

The Government of Ukraine has approved new norms regarding the use of protective structures in educational institutions. According to Cabinet of Ministers Resolution No. 1288 dated 15 October 2026, access to shelters in kindergartens and schools by third parties during classes is restricted.

Priority for students and teachers

The document clearly states that shelters in preschool educational institutions are intended exclusively for the protection of children and staff. In general secondary education institutions, during in-person teaching, protective structures belonging to the institution's fund are also available only to students and teachers.

An exception applies to objects of the civil protection protective structures fund that are on the balance sheet of schools. By decision of local executive authorities or local self-government bodies, such shelters may simultaneously accommodate both participants in the educational process and other categories of the population.

Conditions for shared use

Before making a decision to allow other citizens access to a school shelter, the balance holder (founder or head of the institution) is obliged to assess the possibility of its shared use. To this end, the following procedure must be developed:

• zoning of premises with clear designation of places for students and other citizens;
• establishment of rules for escorting third parties to the shelter by security, technical or other staff during night hours, on weekends and public holidays;
• restriction of third-party access to other premises and territories of the institution, except for the shelter itself and the path to it;
• establishment of signs, schemes and rules of conduct on the territory of the institution and the use of its property, in particular taking into account the needs of people with disabilities and low-mobility groups of the population;
• publication of information on shelters available to third parties and the rules for their use.

Data on such protective structures must be posted on the official web portals of the founders of educational institutions or the educational institutions themselves. At the same time, the availability of free space and the time intervals during which the shelter can be used by other citizens are taken into account.

Safety measures for children

If local authorities allow the simultaneous presence of students and other citizens in a school shelter, the institution's management must ensure the safety of the children. Throughout the entire time students are in the shelter, teaching staff, a psychologist, and, if available, a police officer or security service employee must be present.

Separation of zones for the presence of students and other citizens is mandatory, and, where possible, separate premises should be allocated for them. The routes of movement of these groups to the shelter and back must minimise intersections to the maximum extent.

Separate sanitary facilities must be provided for participants in the educational process. Children with special educational needs are provided with a separate room or a separated part of a premises for psychological decompression and the provision of necessary psycho-pedagogical and corrective-developmental services.