Schools Advised to Prepare Backup Power and Shelters for Outages

September 26, 2026 - 17:25

The Ministry of Education and Science has issued new recommendations for how educational institutions should operate during power outages, urging schools to maintain reserves of essential resources and keep backup power systems and shelters ready for use.

The guidance comes as repeated strikes on energy infrastructure continue to disrupt electricity supplies across the country, forcing schools to adapt their daily operations to unpredictable conditions. According to the recommendations, institutions should ensure they have adequate stockpiles of water, food, and medical supplies, along with alternative heating and lighting sources, so that learning can continue even when the grid fails.

Officials stressed that backup power equipment, including generators and charging stations, must be checked regularly and kept in working order. Shelters should also remain accessible and equipped at all times, with staff trained to move students to safety quickly if alarms sound during lessons.

The ministry also advised schools to develop flexible schedules and alternative learning formats, including offline options, so that students without reliable electricity or internet access are not left behind. Administrators were told to coordinate closely with local authorities and emergency services to plan for extended outages, particularly during the winter months when demand on the energy system is highest.

Education officials noted that the recommendations are not mandatory orders but practical guidelines that institutions can adjust to their own circumstances. They encouraged school leaders to review their emergency plans and update them where necessary, adding that the safety of students and staff remains the top priority.