Schools in France have upgraded their security processes as students return to classes across the country.
France’s interior and education ministers announced that schools will have improved visitor management systems, increased bag-checking, new security drills and more as part of an effort to bolster security in the wake of recent terrorist attacks in the country.
“This is an important day for [children], but also for the country during a difficult time that justifies the security measures that have been adopted,” French President François Hollande said in a statement.
Adults that aren’t part of a school’s staff will have their IDs checked as they enter schools and officials are encouraging bag checks for adults outside of buildings, reports france24.com.
Schools will also be required to conduct three security drills, including a terror attack or intrusion drill, over the course of the academic year.
Officials are asking teachers and other staff members to stay extremely vigilant and have given many principals small black remote controls to alert police of emergencies. An emergency mobile text message system was also developed and tested with 63,000 principals Aug. 31.
Police are also planning on increasing their patrols near schools.
The announcement came as roughly 12 million students returned to schools across the country Sept. 1.
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