In Poland dozens of schools canceled classes after a series of attacks and reports of new threats
In Poland on Friday, October 9, 50 schools canceled classes due to concerns for the safety of students and staff after several attacks in educational institutions. In schools that continue to operate, access control and police patrols have been increased.
This is reported by Business Insider Polska citing the spokesperson of the Polish Ministry of Education, Ewelina Horczyca.
According to the ministry's data as of 12:05, the most institutions canceled classes in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship - 45. Three more schools suspended education in the Świętokrzyskie Voivodeship, and one each in the Podlaskie and Warmian-Masurian Voivodeships.
In the municipality of Wyszków, near Warsaw, all public and private primary schools, as well as kindergartens, were closed. At the same time, supervision was organized in institutions for children whose parents cannot leave them at home.
Classes were also canceled in some schools in the Płock, Wołomin, and Ciechanów counties. In Piaseczno, schools and kindergartens were closed, and in Góra Kalwaria local authorities recommended that parents keep their children at home.
Due to what events security measures were increased
The decision to cancel classes was made after two attacks in educational institutions in the Mazowieckie Voivodeship.
On October 8, in the village of Leszczydół-Nowiny near Wyszków, a 15-year-old former student attacked three people. As a result of the attack a 37-year-old employee of the educational institution died, and two other people were injured.
The day before, on October 7, in the city of Ostrołęka, a 19-year-old attacker stabbed nine people, including five students and two teachers. According to the investigation, the suspect also had an improvised explosive device. He was charged, including with attempted murder of several people.
After these events, messages began to spread on Polish social media about the alleged preparation of new attacks in schools.
The police emphasize that information about the existence of an organized online campaign with attacks on schools is not confirmed. At the same time, law enforcement officers are checking messages and threats received via the internet.
In particular, on the morning of October 9 in the city of Szczytno, a 16-year-old teenager was detained, suspected of publishing a video with threats addressed to students and teachers of one of the educational institutions.
In Warsaw schools continue to operate
Despite the situation, Warsaw authorities did not recommend mass cancellation of classes in the capital's schools.
Instead, school administrations were obliged to strengthen security control. Only students and staff were allowed to enter school premises, and additional patrols of police and municipal guards were organized near the institutions.
Parents will be informed about changes through electronic school diaries. Local authorities urged not to spread unverified messages and to rely on official information.
At the request of the Minister of Education Barbara Nowacka, on October 9 and 12 meetings of education authorities with heads of schools and kindergartens are planned in all voivodeships of Poland. They will discuss security measures and procedures in emergency situations.
Based on: Business Insider Polska, Serwis Samorządowy PAP
