Student Safety in Educational Facilities in Light of Goal 4a of Agenda 2030

Abstract In order to fill this research gap, the authors undertook an analysis of the problem specified in the title in the context of public elementary schools in Białystok. First, a dogmatic approach was taken, which involved a detailed analysis of selected provisions of educational law. Second, an empirical approach was applied by reviewing documents in the form of statutes from 44 out of 47 elementary schools, focusing on the degree of implementation of the United Nations 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development, Goal 4a. The research was based on criteria developed by the authors, grounded in the available literature, which focused on four key aspects considered essential for assessing the level of achievement of the stated goal. These criteria include ensuring the physical and psychological safety of students, internal and external aspects of security, safety education, and cooperation of schools with institutions charged with the provision of safety. The analyses partially confirmed the hypothesis that the examined national regulations and the statutes of public elementary schools are only minimally aligned with SDG 4a. These findings shed light on the existing theoretical and practical challenges related to the effective implementation of international educational standards at the local level and may serve as inspiration for further research.