Rotterdam primary schools join safety pact

ROTTERDAM, 9 July 2025 – Primary schools in Rotterdam are now part of the city-wide agreement aimed at improving safety in and around schools. The expansion follows the 2023 launch of the original pact between secondary schools, vocational institutions, and safety partners.

Primary schools added to school safety agreement

Rotterdam's school safety agreement (Rotterdams convenant schoolveiligheid) has been extended to include primary education. This move allows for earlier intervention on issues such as youth crime, growing tensions among pupils, and street violence, which are increasingly relevant at the primary level.

The agreement enables primary schools to rely on a network of safety professionals and youth workers. In case of incidents, collaboration between primary, specialised, secondary, and vocational schools will be made easier and more effective.

Early intervention and teacher support

The extension allows schools to begin resilience-building and prevention efforts at a younger age. Attention is also given to supporting teachers in recognising early signs of criminal involvement among pupils. Security coordinators (regisseurs schoolveiligheid) will assist schools in this effort, ensuring better continuity when pupils transition from primary to secondary education.

The expansion now covers over 90% of pupils in Rotterdam.

Data-sharing guidelines presented

During the official signing at city hall, Ron Kooren (Albeda) presented a new data-sharing guideline to Mayor Schouten. Developed in collaboration with the Dutch Data Protection Authority (Autoriteit Persoonsgegevens), the document is intended to help partners share information lawfully under existing regulations.

Challenges unique to primary schools

Primary schools face specific challenges such as parental aggression and bullying among pupils. Strategic safety advisor at Stichting BOOR, Brian Koopmans, stated: “The school safety coordinators can assist us. They know which partners to involve through the agreement, allowing us to resolve incidents more quickly.”

Organisations involved

Existing participants in the agreement include a broad coalition of schools, the municipality, police, and youth organisations. Newly added primary education partners are SIPOR, RVKO, PCBO Rotterdam, and Stichting Opwijs.