Zagreb school protests demand stricter security after knife attack

Protesters gathered in front of the Electrical Technical School in Zagreb to demand improved security standards following a recent knife attack that injured a student and a school employee. The demonstration, organized by the association ‘Roditelji za djecu’ (Parents for Children), highlighted three primary demands: granting staff authority to inspect students and their belongings upon entry, lowering the age of criminal responsibility from 14 to 12, and implementing stricter sanctions for parents whose children commit acts of violence.

Mario Božurić, the teacher who intervened to stop the attacker, criticized the current educational system, noting that disciplinary measures are often automatically erased, leaving students without a consistent record of behavior. Interior Minister Davor Božinović commented on the situation, stating that police have previously recommended measures such as bag inspections in schools.

The incident has reignited national debate regarding school safety and the necessity of security personnel, with public opinion divided on whether security guards should be armed.