Abstract:

Recent geopolitical developments, particularly the war in Ukraine, have significantly affected educational systems across Europe. Schools increasingly face the challenge of ensuring a safe learning environment while integrating students displaced by conflict. This study examines how geopolitical tensions influence perceptions of safety and inclusion in schools in Lithuania and Poland, two countries that have received a large number of Ukrainian refugee students since 2022. The research is based on qualitative analysis of media discourse and education policy documents published between 2022 and 2024. The study explores how public narratives, institutional responses, and policy measures frame issues of student security, integration, and school climate during a period of crisis. A comparative perspective highlights similarities and differences in national approaches to addressing these challenges. The findings contribute to understanding how education systems respond to geopolitical instability and identify factors that may strengthen inclusive and secure school environments in times of uncertainty.

Keywords:

Students’ sense of safety, education policy, migrant and refugee education, inclusive education, school climate.