Enhancing School Safety: A Report on Technological Interventions and Alignment with Sustainable Development Goals

Introduction: The Imperative for Safe Learning Environments (SDG 4 & SDG 16)

In response to persistent threats of violence, such as the 2022 Uvalde school shooting, legislative bodies in Texas have mandated enhanced security protocols for educational facilities. This initiative directly addresses the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals, particularly SDG 4 (Quality Education), which calls for safe and non-violent learning environments, and SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions), which aims to significantly reduce all forms of violence. The focus has shifted towards integrating advanced technology to fortify campus safety, supplementing existing measures like armed guards and structural reinforcements.

Technological Innovations in School Security (SDG 9)

The drive for safer schools has catalyzed innovation within the security industry, aligning with SDG 9 (Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure) by upgrading the technological capabilities of public infrastructure. A burgeoning multi-billion dollar market now offers a range of high-tech solutions.

• Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones)
• Reinforced Window Film
• Advanced Metal Detectors
• Classroom Panic Buttons

Unmanned Aerial Systems (Drones) as a First Response Tool

A notable innovation is the proposed use of drones as a rapid response mechanism against active intruders. The Texas-based startup, Campus Guardian Angel, has demonstrated a system with the following operational objectives:

1. Deploy from a secure on-campus location within five seconds of an alert.
2. Engage and track an intruder within 15 seconds.
3. Distract, degrade, or incapacitate the threat within 60 seconds, providing critical time for law enforcement to arrive.
4. Serve as expendable scouts to gather intelligence and protect human first responders.

This technology represents an application of innovative infrastructure (SDG 9) to protect human life and support the creation of peaceful institutions (SDG 16).

Fortification of Physical Infrastructure

Alongside aerial systems, significant investment is being directed towards reinforcing the physical security of school buildings, a key component of SDG 4, Target 4.a (Build and upgrade education facilities). These measures include:

• Window Film: Companies like Strong Glass Systems provide specialized film designed to delay entry by intruders, with product strength and installation demands having intensified.
• Metal Detectors: CEIA, a global manufacturer, reports that K-12 schools in the United States are now its largest market, indicating a widespread adoption of entry-point screening.

Stakeholder Perspectives and Challenges

The adoption of these technologies involves diverse stakeholder considerations, from legislative approval to community acceptance and financial viability.

Legislative and Governmental Support

State lawmakers have supported these measures by increasing school safety funding to nearly $35,000 per campus. Dallas state Senator Royce West noted that such technologies align with the legislative intent to reduce the time a perpetrator has to inflict harm, thereby strengthening institutional capacity to prevent violence as per SDG 16.

School District Evaluation and Adoption

Adoption at the district level remains varied. While some districts, like Boerne ISD, are actively testing drone systems, others are proceeding with caution.

• Pilot programs and demonstrations are underway in districts including Lancaster ISD and Highland Park ISD.
• Dallas ISD Police Chief Albert Martinez emphasized the need for thorough evaluation to determine if the technology is a suitable and cost-effective fit for his district’s specific needs.

Critical Viewpoints and Alternative Approaches

Advocacy groups present a counter-narrative, suggesting that a focus on technology may divert attention from foundational issues. Donna Schmidt of Moms Demand Action argues that the core problem is the easy access to firearms. This perspective underscores a critical debate within the framework of SDG 16, questioning whether true peace and justice can be achieved without addressing the root causes of violence.

Economic and Social Implications

The implementation of advanced security systems carries significant economic considerations that can impact equity.

• Market Growth: The school security industry is valued at over $3 billion annually.
• Implementation Costs: A starter drone system is priced at approximately $15,000 for a set of six, posing a potential financial barrier.
• Equity Concerns: The ability of less well-funded districts to afford such technologies raises concerns about equitable access to safety, potentially widening disparities and impacting the universal achievement of SDG 4 (Quality Education) and SDG 10 (Reduced Inequalities).

Conclusion: A Multi-faceted Approach to Achieving SDG Targets

The integration of technology like drones and advanced infrastructure offers innovative tools to bolster the immediate safety of school environments, contributing directly to SDG 4, SDG 9, and SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities and Communities). However, stakeholder feedback indicates that technology is only one component of a comprehensive safety strategy. Achieving the ambitious goals of SDG 16 (Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions) and ensuring the universal well-being of students (SDG 3) requires a multi-faceted approach that includes robust evaluation of new technologies, equitable resource allocation, and a continued societal dialogue on the underlying drivers of violence.

Analysis of Sustainable Development Goals in the Article

1. Which SDGs are addressed or connected to the issues highlighted in the article?

• SDG 16: Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions: The article’s core focus is on preventing violence (school shootings) and strengthening security institutions within schools to protect lives. It discusses measures to reduce violence and create safer environments.
• SDG 4: Quality Education: The provision of a safe learning environment is a fundamental prerequisite for quality education. The article details efforts to make school facilities physically secure, which directly supports the goal of ensuring effective learning environments for all children.
• SDG 11: Sustainable Cities and Communities: This goal includes making human settlements and public spaces safe. Schools are critical public spaces for children, and the article’s discussion on securing these campuses against violence aligns with the objective of ensuring safety in community spaces.
• SDG 9: Industry, Innovation and Infrastructure: The article highlights the role of technological innovation (drones) and a growing industry in upgrading school infrastructure for safety and resilience. It points to a multi-billion dollar “school safety industry” developing and deploying new solutions.
• SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being: The efforts described are aimed at preventing premature death and injury from violence. Furthermore, creating a secure environment addresses the severe mental health impacts and trauma that the threat of violence has on students and staff.

2. What specific targets under those SDGs can be identified based on the article’s content?

1. Target 16.1: Significantly reduce all forms of violence and related death rates everywhere. The article directly addresses this by describing technologies and strategies whose stated purpose is to “reduce the number of minutes that a perpetrator has in order to inflict carnage within a school,” thereby reducing violence and related deaths.
2. Target 16.2: End abuse, exploitation, trafficking and all forms of violence against and torture of children. The entire context of the article is the prevention of gun violence against children in the school setting, which is a primary form of violence affecting them.
3. Target 4.a: Build and upgrade education facilities that are child, disability and gender sensitive and provide safe, non-violent, inclusive and effective learning environments for all. The article explicitly details the upgrading of education facilities with security measures like “window film,” “panic buttons,” “armed guards,” and new drone technology to create a “safe, non-violent” learning environment.
4. Target 9.1: Develop quality, reliable, sustainable and resilient infrastructure… with a focus on affordable and equitable access for all. The article discusses developing resilient infrastructure in schools to withstand attacks. It also touches upon the equity issue, noting that “less well-funded districts don’t have people at every elementary school,” highlighting the challenge of equitable access to these safety measures.
5. Target 11.7: By 2030, provide universal access to safe, inclusive and accessible, green and public spaces, in particular for women and children… The efforts to secure school campuses are a direct attempt to provide safe public spaces for children.

3. Are there any indicators mentioned or implied in the article that can be used to measure progress towards the identified targets?

• Response Time: The article provides a specific, measurable indicator for the drone technology’s effectiveness: “respond in five seconds, be on the shooter in 15, degrade or incapacitate in 60 seconds.” This measures progress towards reducing violence (Target 16.1).
• Financial Investment in Safety: The article mentions two financial indicators: the increase in “school safety funding to nearly $35,000 dollars per campus” and the overall market value of the school security industry, estimated at “$1 billion to more than $3 billion a year.” This can measure the scale of efforts to upgrade facilities (Target 4.a).
• Adoption Rate of Security Measures: The article implies an indicator by listing the types of security measures being mandated or adopted, such as “window film,” “panic buttons,” “metal detectors,” and “armed guards in every school.” Tracking the percentage of schools with these measures would indicate progress.
• Cost of Technology: The “starting price tag of $15,000 for a box of six” drones is a specific cost indicator that relates to the affordability and scalability of innovative infrastructure solutions (Target 9.1).

4. Summary Table of SDGs, Targets, and Indicators

Source: keranews.org