Shtip, 30 April 2026 (MIA) — Classes were canceled for more than 1,100 students Thursday after a vandal caused extensive damage at Shtip's Vancho Prke Elementary School, MIA's Shtip correspondent reports. 

According to the school's principal Kokan Radev, an intruder broke into the school around midnight, destroying computers, smart boards and furniture. The vandal used spray paint and sharp objects to deface walls and classrooms with what Radev described as "rude messages" and graffiti.

"The damage is material and the evaluation is underway," Radev said. 

"Spray painted messages were applied to the walls, desks, smart boards and blackboards in the classrooms. This is significant material damage we are talking about," he said.

Security footage shows one individual entering through the gymnasium. The intruder attempted to disable the security system by spraying a camera lens, but the device captured the act before being covered.

Most of the destruction happened on the upper floors, inside the fifth through ninth-grade classrooms. The chemistry lab remained untouched because it was locked, Radev said.

The principal said the school staff were hoping to adapt the vandalized spaces for classes over the next three days. He expects regular classes to resume Monday.

Police began the investigation early Thursday morning. This is the first incident of its kind at the city’s largest central school, according to MIA's correspondent. mr/