After Three Attacks, Nizhny Novgorod Minister Outlines Prevention
Over the past two days, three attacks occurred at Russian schools. In Krasnoyarsk, a student set a fire; in Kodinsk, a girl wounded a peer with a kitchen knife; and in Ufa, a ninth-grader came to class with a plastic assault rifle and fired several shots at a teacher and classmates. To prevent such incidents, strengthening physical security alone is not enough, according to Nizhny Novgorod Region Minister of Education Mikhail Puchkov. On his social media page, he published a lengthy post reflecting on why students attack schools and how to solve the problem.
According to Puchkov, it is necessary first to conduct systematic proactive work and create a healthy emotional atmosphere in the school community. To assist school psychologists in Nizhny Novgorod Region, a list of trusted methods has been prepared and new tools for identifying self-harm behaviors have been approved, as well as an anonymous online chat with a psychologist.
«Is this enough? Absolutely not! The atmosphere in a group does not form instantly; it is a long process involving many participants. It is impossible for one school psychologist to solve all problems,» the minister wrote.
He stated that not only psychologists but also homeroom teachers, teachers, and parents should monitor changes in student behavior. If a child«s academic performance drops sharply, appearance changes, they start missing classes and getting into conflicts, that is a reason to consult a specialist.
At the same time, Puchkov believes that excluding a «difficult» child from school cannot solve the problem. The psyche of a modern student is under enormous pressure, and the main task of adults is to help them cope.
«This includes a proper daily routine, content filtering, time control in games and social networks, opportunities for various activities, conversation and a sense of trust, the right example and help,» the head of the department noted.
According to him, metal detectors in schools do not guarantee 100% security, but they should be present and working in any case. Now, in educational institutions of Nizhny Novgorod Region, the operation of entry groups and security will be checked, and a system will be launched that automatically tracks student absences and transmits information to prevention councils and commissions on minors’ affairs.
«Safety is created by an atmosphere where the child is seen, heard, and given a helping hand in time, without bringing them to a boiling point. This is a shared responsibility of school and family,» Puchkov concluded.
Earlier, the head of the regional Legislative Assembly, Evgeny Lyulin, commented on the increasing school attacks. His commentary was published in a previous article.
