Samara Mayor's Office Spends Millions on School Security

The Samara Mayor«s Office has disclosed the amount it costs to secure 151 municipal schools, lyceums, and gymnasiums.

«The total funding for security measures in general education institutions for 2026 is 236.9 million rubles (approximately $2.6 million at current rates),» the city administration reported in response to a request from the 63.RU editorial office.

For convenience, we have compiled all the data in one image:

But despite the millions allocated from the budget for security, parents of students still often complain about extortions. Yes, it is possible to voluntarily chip in and help the school, but only if all expenses are transparent, lawyers emphasize.

«Parents are not required to pay for security in state and municipal schools. This follows from Article 43 of the Constitution of the Russian Federation, as well as Articles 5, 28, and 41 of Federal Law No. 273-FZ of December 29, 2012, »On Education in the Russian Federation«. Ensuring safe learning conditions (including anti-terrorism protection and security of the educational organization) is the responsibility of the educational institution (its founder). And this is financed from budget funds,» commented 63.RU lawyer Sergey Rusov from the law firm «Khalchenko and Partners.» — «If the school administration forces them to hand over money »for security,« parents can complain to the education authorities, Rosobrnadzor, and the prosecutor»s office.«

All educational institutions are divided into 4 risk categories according to anti-terrorism requirements. This takes into account how many people live in the city where the school is located and the maximum number of victims in case of a terrorist attack in the educational organization. Schools in categories 1–3 must have private security guards or Rosgvardia (National Guard) officers.

«Security passports and information related to categorization have the status »for official use« and are not subject to publication,» emphasized the Samara Mayor«s Office. — »Educational institutions are independent economic entities. They themselves determine how they will select contractors and conclude contracts with them.«

The issue of children«s safety in schools remains one of the most pressing: unfortunately, fights and more serious emergencies within the walls of educational institutions are not uncommon. For example, in December 2025, a fight broke out in one of the lyceums in the Avtozavodsky district of Tolyatti. During the scuffle, one of the students had a clump of hair torn out. A month earlier, social media discussed a fight between Samara schoolgirls. The girls clashed near one of the Samara schools on Kakhovskaya Street.