A leading figure in the German education sector has spoken out against increased security measures in schools, following a recent shooting at a school in Graz. Stefan Düll, president of the German Teachers’ Union, dismissed calls for more security controls and personnel in schools, stating that such measures would not be effective in the German school reality.
Düll emphasized the importance of investing in the care and support of students who are at risk of failing, citing a monitoring system that involves teachers, social pedagogues, youth workers and school psychologists working together to identify and address potential issues before they escalate. He noted that this approach would provide the best protection against potential school shootings.
A school administrator in Bavaria, however, expressed a differing view, stating that such attacks are often long-planned and that perpetrators would adapt to alternative methods. The administrator pointed out that there are also external areas outside of the school building that could be used for such purposes.
Düll, who is a father of a daughter who had a false alarm of a school shooting, shared a personal anecdote about the traumatic experience of being trapped in a classroom for hours with students, waiting for the police to arrive and clear each room individually. He described the experience as “hell.