Speaking to RTL, the ombudsman said now is the right time for further reflection on everyday life at school, particularly for those attending the school in Redange/Attert. Now that the shock of the alert has passed, the conversation should address what pupils, staff, and parents experienced.
An armed attacker alarm was triggered at the secondary school in Redange/Attert on Tuesday morning, prompting a significant police response. It was later determined there was no weapon on site, causing the threat level to be lifted.
“Is this, as a school, a safe place? And what does that include? I’m regularly visiting a lot of school buildings and institutions. I’m occasionally horrified by the architecture, which dominates what should be a convivial coexistence. There are certainly many more efforts which can be made to create an environment in which children and young people can feel safe”, the Ombudsman noted.
Schmit also urged parents to be attentive to their child’s behaviour over the coming days, as shocking experiences such as Tuesday’s incident can influence even those who were not involved, triggering a number of feelings or ideas.
“Now it is important for parents and families to take the opportunity to discuss this with their children at home. We’ve just had two weeks of mental health discussions and awareness campaigns, focusing on children and young people. So that is all the more reason to really examine this situation with your children and to gauge what sense of security they have in their everyday life. It could be worth, as parents, cancelling appointments over the coming days to spend more time with their children.”
Schmit welcomed the fact that all procedures unfolded correctly after the alert on Tuesday, and applauded the care offered to members of the school community during and after the incident. The Grand Ducal Fire and Rescue Corps (CGDIS) has made their psychological support group available again for the school on Wednesday.
