Zagreb, 23 December 2024 (Hina/MIA) — Three Croatian school unions are organizing a silent march outside the Teachers' Hall in Zagreb at 6 pm to advocate for improved school safety, after last Friday, a former pupil of Prečko Primary School in Zagreb attacked a 62-year-old teacher and four children with a knife. A seven-year-old girl died in the attack.

Speaking to reporters ahead of a meeting on school safety at the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, leaders of school unions said Monday they were still mourning the Prečko Primary School tragedy.

They also criticized the delayed discussions on measures such as installing locks and hiring security guards at schools, arguing that these steps should have been taken much earlier.

Their meeting at the Ministry of Science, Education and Youth, set to focus on the need to draft basic measures to enhance school safety, is to be attended by representatives of the ministry, school principals, the City of Zagreb, unions, the Ministry of the Interior, the state-owned security company AKD, civil protection services, and psychologists.

"This is a serious matter in which unions need to be involved," said Željko Stipić, president of the Preporod union.

He said that for the past three days he had refrained from discussing specific solutions because he found it "somewhat insulting" that the conversation was only now focusing on locks and security guards, issues that should have been addressed long ago.

"And not just talked about but acted upon," he added.

Stipić also said there would be time for analyses and proposals after the period of mourning and grief has passed.

"For the school unions, today is still a day of mourning. We encourage all citizens to join us this evening at 6 pm in silence, thoughts and prayers to show solidarity with the victims. By gathering in large numbers, we can send a message to the authorities that the time of inaction is over," said Stipić.

Sanja Šprem, leader of the Croatian Teachers' Union, said she did not have information about this morning's meeting between Zagreb Mayor Tomislav Tomašević and security companies. However, she acknowledged the possibility that such measures were being pursued. She said the unions would receive updates from the competent ministry.

"Security guards alone cannot be the solution. I've been saying this for days. Today, we're here to learn about the ministry's short-term and long-term plans," Šprem said.

She also recalled that a security guard was present during the May 2023 tragic attack at a primary school in Belgrade, emphasizing that school staff were increasingly feeling unsafe and that dissatisfaction was growing. rml/mr