Skopje, 15 May 2026 (MIA) – Minister of Interior Panche Toshkovski said Friday that the Ministry of Interior (MoI) and the Ministry of Education and Science are coordinating activities to tackle security challenges in schools, with police officers and experts conducting preventive controls and on-site surveillance for a long time.

Speaking at a joint press conference with A1 CEO Metodija Mirchev, the Minister told reporters that such activities have also been carried out even before recent incidents in schools.

As regards announcements of integrating teaching staff in terms of ​​school security, Toshkovski said possible solutions have been discussed together with Education Minister Vesna Janevska on several occasions, pointing out however that this falls under the jurisdiction of the Ministry of Education.

He stressed that the Ministry of Interior is committed to the modernization and professionalization of the police, using modern technology, body-worn cameras, analytical support and mobile police units.

"I'm saying this from the perspective of a highly professionalized police with highly well-equipped vehicles that would practically serve as mobile police stations, with the use of body-worn cameras, with two-way, direct-to-command communication, and live analytical support from a command center to police officers," said Toshkovski.

Commenting on domestic violence, the Minister said it was encouraging to see victims come forward, yet he expressed concern about rising number of cases.

"On the one hand, it is encouraging to see that victims come forward, but on the other hand, it is alarming to see a rising number of domestic violence cases. However, I reiterate, we must be committed to the best response that the Ministry of Interior can provide," Toshkovski said. 

In response to a reporter's question related to regulation of private security in educational institutions, the Minister pointed out that the Ministry of Interior conducts regular checks during registration, issuance and revocation of licenses, as well as upon receipt of complaints.  

"One of the tasks of the Ministry of Interior is to control the registration of security agencies to see if they meet the requirements. I am sure that the Ministry of Interiorhas undertaken all necessary steps in terms of checking certain companies to see if they met or did not meet requirements to obtain a license. Now, whether they have always acted in accordance with the rights and duties they have, whether they have not violated them, whether they have met requirements, that is another question. There are such situations, but of course, the Ministry of Interior will step in to handle its task once notified," said Toshkovski. 

Photo: MIA