New program on the train

Amok threat: What pupils (13) can now expect

(Bild: APA/HANS PUNZ)

After the shock at a secondary school in Eastern Styria, it is not only the colleagues of the 13-year-old who threatened to run amok who are receiving psychological support. The pupil himself is also receiving professional support. The parents have given the green light, making this a first in Styria.

The 13-year-old Styrian cannot be held accountable in court; this would only be possible from the age of 14. This is where the Coordination Office for Violence and Radicalization Prevention in the Education Directorate comes into play. Since the beginning of the current semester, it has been offering support from social workers for suspended pupils.

After the parents of the 13-year-old agreed to this measure on Friday, he is now the first Styrian to go through this program, confirms the office of State Councillor for Education Werner Amon (ÖVP).

Suspended for four weeks
Specifically, the boy will receive visits from a social worker several times a week from Monday until his suspension expires. In his case, this is October 18, the maximum of four weeks has been exhausted. During this time, in addition to social work, the police will also be involved with their prevention expertise.

As reported, there is a lot to work through: in addition to the threat to storm his school at gunpoint, pictures of child abuse and Nazi motifs were found on the teenager's cell phone. The ball was set rolling by a fellow pupil who reported the threats to his parents.

The Education Directorate is taking the incident "very seriously", and Provincial Councillor Amon emphasizes the measures that are taking effect for the first time in this case: The "dramatic incident" shows the importance of "supporting pupils during their suspension".

"I am glad that we have a professional program for this in Styria and that we do not leave the children and young people, parents and teachers alone with the problems."

Werner Amon

Bildungslandesrat (ÖVP)

Bild: Christian Jauschowetz

"Restoring stability and a willingness to learn"
The suspension support program was only presented at the beginning of September and is now being used for the first time in Styria. School psychologist Josef Zollneritsch describes the measure as "necessary to restore psychological stability and readiness to learn".

A new crisis intervention program has also been in place since March for pupils in problem situations who have not been suspended. Since then, such teams have been deployed 45 times in Styrian schools.