In the aftermath of the Graz shooting, the president of the North Rhine-Westphalia Teachers’ Association, Andreas Bartsch, has emphasized the need for crisis preparedness in schools. In an interview with the Rheinische Post, Bartsch stressed that it is crucial for schools to be prepared for emergency situations, rather than simply reacting to them.
Bartsch argued that it is not acceptable for school leaders to be unprepared in the event of an emergency, as this can result in critical minutes being lost. He emphasized the importance of preparation, rather than denial and suggested that this involves conducting drills and training for emergency situations, including active shooter scenarios.
The teachers’ association president also highlighted the need for students to be more aware of their peers’ behavior and to report any concerns or suspicious activity to teachers or school authorities. He advocated for the importance of educating students to take these concerns seriously, even if it means overreporting, rather than underreporting.
Furthermore, Bartsch emphasized the need for each school to develop its own safety concept, taking into account its unique physical environment and circumstances. He proposed the creation of safety teams, comprising school psychologists, social workers, teachers and school board representatives, to establish rapid communication channels in the event of an emergency, involving the school administration and the police.