The conflict between teenagers in Durrës, where one of them was seriously injured, once again proves the failure of the government and Ministry of Interior policies on school safety.
Eight students from the "Dom Nikollë Kaçorri" high school in the Kënetë area were involved in a fight that started on social media, moved inside the school premises and ended in a physical conflict outside. The 15-year-old was stabbed four times, one of which hit vital organs, seriously endangering his life.
In September of this year, Prime Minister Edi Rama and Interior Minister Albana Koçiu presented a plan of measures for school security, stating that “security officers have been deployed in public schools who will guarantee the protection of students from any negative phenomenon, including violence and online dangers.” According to him, the officers would be assisted by the State and Municipal Police to monitor and prevent incidents in and around schools.
However, the reality seems to be different. Yesterday's event shows that the measures introduced serve more as propaganda than as real protection for students. While schools, from institutions that should be examples of knowledge and safety, have turned into arenas of violence among young people.
This is not the only case. In October, a similar incident occurred at the “Ibrahim Rugova” high school in Kamëz, where two minors were injured with knives during a conflict between peers, one of whom suffered deep wounds to the chest.
Cases of violence between young people in schools have followed one another since the tragedy of a year ago, when 14-year-old Martin Cani was killed after a similar clash outside the school. Despite public reactions, the government has remained only with promises of cameras and police in schools that have failed to prevent these incidents.
