Following the massacre at a high school in Graz, Austria, where a 21-year-old former student killed at least 11 people before committing suicide, concerning threats have emerged in Serbian schools. At the “Jovan Sterija Popović” elementary school in New Belgrade, a seventh-grade student made threats reminiscent of the Graz incident, including a list of students he planned to attack. The school responded immediately, involving police, prosecutors, and social work centers. Experts emphasize the importance of timely response to such threats and the need for professional treatment of children exhibiting violent behavior. Doubts have also been expressed about the official version of the Graz events, while in Serbia there is criticism of the lack of support for parents and children, especially amid social workers’ strikes and the absence of free educational programs.
Political Perspectives:
Left: Left-leaning media focus on the systemic issues behind the threats and violence, emphasizing the need for better mental health support, social services, and educational reforms. They highlight the lack of adequate support for children and families, the impact of social workers’ strikes, and call for increased investment in social and psychological care to prevent such tragedies.
Center: Center-leaning outlets report the facts of the Graz massacre and the subsequent threats in Serbian schools with a balanced approach, stressing the importance of immediate security measures and disciplinary actions in schools. They also cover expert opinions on the necessity of professional psychological evaluation and treatment for children showing violent tendencies, while acknowledging the challenges faced by social services.
Right: Right-leaning media emphasize law and order, focusing on the need for strict disciplinary measures and security in schools. They express skepticism about the official narrative of the Graz massacre, suggesting possible cover-ups. They criticize the current social system for failing to protect children and parents, and call for stronger policing and judicial actions against threats and violence.
