Working group convened after school attacks

Prime Minister Luca Niculescu convened the interministerial working group on preventing and combating violence in schools on Friday, 23 October, in response to what the government called serious incidents in recent days. The meeting took place at the Victoria Palace and was attended by Deputy Prime Minister and Interior Minister Marian Neacșu, Education Minister Sorin Costreie, Minister Delegated for Pre-university Education Sorin Ionescu, Justice Minister Radu Marinescu, Labour Minister Florin Manole and Health Minister Alexandru Rogobete. Libertatea reports that state secretary Bogdan Despescu also took part, although the government communiqué did not name him. Niculescu, who took office three days earlier, linked the decision to the size of the school population.

“Some 3 million students who attend about 6,000 school units across Romania must have the protection they need from the authorities.”

The communiqué also quotes him saying that all responsible institutions stand with parents, pupils and teachers as the phenomenon grows.

The measures agreed

The government says it decided seven measures, starting with more guards at school entrances and inside school buildings, achieved by hiring more security staff and expanding surveillance and control. A rapid reaction mechanism will bring together representatives of the Education, Interior, Health and Labour ministries and other responsible institutions. The plan also provides for more school psychological counsellors and teacher training to identify early the risks of violence and radicalisation among children. Security plans for school buildings are to be reviewed and strengthened.

Sanctions and campaign still under consideration

Tougher penalties for violence against pupils and against teachers are described as under consideration. Legislative changes on possessing or bringing prohibited objects into school premises are being prepared. The penalty proposal covers violence against either group, pupils or teachers. A national media campaign to prevent and discourage violence in schools is also to be launched.

Incidents behind the decision

Libertatea reports that on 19 October a 13-year-old boy attacked a female mathematics teacher with a knife at a school in Bistrița, and also attacked a 12-year-old child who tried to help her. Mediafax gives the attacker's age as 12 and says he also stabbed a fellow pupil from another class, in an incident that involved a teacher. Libertatea's headline groups the Bistrița case with a knife and machete attack at a school in Pitești, the two attacks coming three days apart. Mediafax says that within a single week several serious cases of violence were recorded in schools across the country.

Next steps

Sorin Costreie will coordinate the working group. The government communiqué says the group will meet the week of 26 October with representatives of teachers, pupils and parents to review the National Plan for Preventing and Combating Violence in Schools. Mediafax reports that the plan puts weight on the guard teams as well as on the staff responsible for counselling and psychological support. The measures are presented as a response to the incidents of the past days, with the review of the national plan still ahead.